Shipping container active lock release failsafe

ABSTRACT

A lock mechanism to lock at least one door of a container in a closed position includes a housing enclosing at least a portion of the lock mechanism, and a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the housing. The lock circuit includes a main power supply, a backup power supply, a plurality of subsystems, and a lock controller coupled to the main power supply and the backup power supply. The lock controller is configured to receive commands related to operation of the lock mechanism, determine a battery level remaining in the main power supply, determine if the remaining battery level is below a threshold level, and cause the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upon determining that the remaining battery level is below the threshold level. When in the lower power mode, at least a portion of the subsystems of the lock circuit are not powered, the lock controller receives power from the main power supply, and the lock controller monitors an interface to detect a command to unlock the lock mechanism.

This application claims priority to all of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/221,000, filed on Jun. 26, 2009, entitled “GLOBALASSET TRACKING ENTERPRISE SYSTEM”, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/221,001, filed on Jun. 26, 2009, entitled “SHIPPING CONTAINERACTIVE LOCK RELEASE FAILSAFE”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/221,003, filed on Jun. 26, 2009, entitled “ACTIVE CONTAINERMANAGEMENT SYSTEM”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/287,018,filed on Dec. 16, 2009, entitled “LOCK MECHANISM USING ONE-WAY VALVE TOLOCK PISTON”, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/287,029 filedon Dec. 16, 2009, entitled “SENSING A SIGNAL TO SENSE SECURITY OF ACONTAINER”, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/287,034 filedon Dec. 16, 2009, entitled “FLOATING J-HOOKS BETWEEN TWO BUSHINGS INHOUSING WITH A SINGLE PISTON”, each of which are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

This application is related to all of U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, filed on the same day as the present application, entitled“GLOBAL ASSET TRACKING ENTERPRISE SYSTEM”, (temporarily referenced byAttorney Docket No. 014801-012010US), U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, filed on the same day as the present application, entitled“ACTIVE CONTAINER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”, (temporarily referenced byAttorney Docket No. 014801-012210US), U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, filed on the same day as the present application, entitled “LOCKMECHANISM USING ONE-WAY VALVE TO LOCK PISTON”, (temporarily referencedby Attorney Docket No. 014801-013410US), U.S. patent application Ser.No. ______, filed on the same day as the present application, entitled“SENSING A SIGNAL TO SENSE SECURITY OF A CONTAINER”, (temporarilyreferenced by Attorney Docket No. 014801-013510US) and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______, filed on the same day as the presentapplication, entitled “FLOATING J-HOOKS BETWEEN TWO BUSHINGS IN HOUSINGWITH A SINGLE PISTON” (temporarily referenced by Attorney Docket No.014801-013610US), each of which are hereby expressly incorporated byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Global trade is one of the fastest growing portions of the globaleconomy. More countries than ever are importing and exporting moreproducts than ever before. The vast majority of products are shipped inone or more types of cargo containers. About 90% of the world's trade istransported in cargo containers. Containers include ISO (InternationalOrganization of Standardization) containers, shipped by ship or train,and truck containers.

Cargo containers can contain valuable products that are easy targets forthieves. Cargo containers can also contain dangerous products that couldbe used for evil purposes if allowed to fall into the wrong hands.Terrorists, for example, could use a cargo container to transportexplosives, or radiological material in order to attempt to disrupt theeconomic infrastructure of developed countries. The vulnerability ofinternational shipping has been the focus of a program known as theContainer Security Initiative (CSI) that was launched in 2002 by theU.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

CSI addresses the security concerns of shipping by focusing on four mainareas. The four main areas addressed by CSI include:

-   -   Using intelligence and automated information to identify and        target containers that pose a risk for terrorism.    -   Pre-screening those containers that pose a risk at the port of        departure before they arrive at U.S. ports.    -   Using detection technology to quickly pre-screen containers that        pose a risk.    -   Using smarter, tamper-evident containers.

SUMMARY

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only,and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurationof the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferredexemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with anenabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment.It being understood that various changes may be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope asset forth in the appended claims.

An embodiment in accordance with the disclosure provides a backupbattery that allows for failsafe unlocking of the lock when a primarybattery is in a low-power state. In some embodiments, no mechanicalback-up is provided for unlocking the active container lock. After theprimary battery is nearly depleted, the active lock automatically goesinto a lower power mode waiting for a command to perform low-batteryone-shot last unlock. A backup battery is energized from the primarybattery source initially and periodically thereafter to ensure that asecondary power source for a one-shot unlock is available. In someembodiments, an external battery can be attached to external batteryterminals in order to power the unlock failsafe. The circuitry attachedto the external battery terminals can be configured to withstand largevoltages to avoid an attempt by a perpetrator to damage the lockmechanism.

Another embodiment in accordance with the disclosure provides a lockmechanism to lock at least one door of a container in a closed position.The lock mechanism includes a housing enclosing at least a portion ofthe lock mechanism, and a lock circuit at least partially enclosedwithin the housing. The lock circuit includes a main power supply, abackup power supply, a plurality of subsystems, and a lock controllercoupled to the main power supply and the backup power supply. The lockcontroller is configured to receive commands related to operation of thelock mechanism, determine a battery level remaining in the main powersupply, determine if the remaining battery level is below a thresholdlevel, and cause the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upondetermining that the remaining battery level is below the thresholdlevel. When in the lower power mode, at least a portion of thesubsystems of the lock circuit are not powered, the lock controllerreceives power from the main power supply, and the lock controllermonitors an interface to detect a command to unlock the lock mechanism.

Another embodiment in accordance with the disclosure provides a methodof operating a lock mechanism configured to lock at least one door of acontainer in a closed position. The method includes receiving power at alock circuit from a main power supply, the lock circuit comprising abackup power supply, a plurality of subsystems, and a lock controllercoupled to the main power supply and the backup power supply, receivingcommands at the lock controller, the commands being related to operationof the lock mechanism, determining a battery level remaining in the mainpower supply, determining if the remaining battery level is below athreshold level, and causing the lock circuit to enter a lower powermode upon determining that the remaining battery level is below thethreshold level. Upon entering the lower power mode, at least a portionof the subsystems of the lock circuit are not powered and the methodfurther includes receiving power at the lock controller from the mainpower supply, and monitoring an interface with the lock controller todetect a command to unlock the lock mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a example of an active container management system inwhich lock mechanisms in accordance with the disclosure are utilized.

FIG. 1B depicts another example of an active container management systemin which lock mechanisms in accordance with the disclosure are utilized.

FIG. 2 depicts another example of an active container management systemin which lock mechanisms in accordance with the disclosure are utilized.

FIG. 3 depicts yet another example of an active container managementsystem in which lock mechanisms in accordance with the disclosure areutilized.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a lockmechanism in accordance with the disclosure.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are functional block diagrams of containersystems used for monitoring and communicating events at a container in acontainer management system in accordance with the disclosure.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are perspective views of embodiments of lockmechanisms in accordance with the disclosure.

FIGS. 6D, 6E and 6F are perspective views of other embodiments of lockmechanisms in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for locking alock mechanism to a shipping container in an idle lock state.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for locking alock mechanism to a shipping container in a secure lock state.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for communicatingdata between a lock mechanism and a mobile device, in response to arequest by the mobile device.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for unlocking alock mechanism from a shipping container.

FIG. 11A is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for enrollingdevices to communicate in a secure group of devices including a lockmechanism.

FIG. 11B is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for operating alock mechanism to report sensor data, location data, and/or otherinformation in association with a group of devices.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for providing afailsafe power supply for unlocking a lock mechanism in accordance withthe disclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are side views showing profiles of two embodiments ofa lock mechanism in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless sensor modulecircuit used in a lock mechanism in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a communication system including multiple containersand multiple locking mechanisms in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a system for detecting tampering with a shippingcontainer using an embodiment of a lock mechanism in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 17A is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for calibratinga lock mechanism to perform a process for detecting tampering with ashipping container with the system of FIG. 16.

FIG. 17B is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for detectingtampering with a shipping container with the system of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D are embodiments of latching mechanismsutilizing one-way valves to inhibit motion of a piston in one directionin accordance with the disclosure.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are embodiments of latching mechanism configurationsin accordance with the disclosure.

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C are embodiments of alternative locking membersthat can be used with latching mechanisms in accordance with thedisclosure.

The features, objects, and advantages of embodiments of the disclosurewill become more apparent from the detailed description set forth belowwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings, likeelements bear like reference labels. Various components of the same typemay be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and asecond label that distinguishes among the similar components. If onlythe first reference label is used in the specification, the descriptionis applicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1A, an active container management system100-1 includes a shipping container 104, an active lock mechanism 108-1and a communication network 110. The lock mechanism 108-1 is attached tothe shipping container 104 such that doors of the shipping container aresecured shut to prevent access inside the shipping container 104. Forexample, the lock mechanism can be secured to two door latch assemblybars in a locked state.

The lock mechanism 108-1 includes a wireless module (not shown) that isconfigured to communicate over the communication network 110. Thewireless module can include one or more of WiFi (IEEE 802.11 standards),Bluetooth, Zigbee (802.15.4), cellular (e.g., CDMA, TDMA, GSM, etc.),RFID, satellite (e.g., Comsat), and/or infrared transceivers.

The wireless module can additionally communicate with sensor modules 128located internal or external to the shipping container 104. Someembodiments could have wired connections to some or all of the sensormodules 128. The sensor modules 128 include a sensor module 128-1located inside a shipping crate 122, a sensor module 128-2 attachedexternally to another crate 122, a sensor module 128-3 attachedexternally to the shipping container 104 and a sensor module 128-4attached inside the shipping container 104 near the lock mechanism108-1. In one embodiment, the wireless module comprises a wireless powersystem (e.g., RFID, ISO/IEC 14443 and WiFi active tags) that is poweredinductively through the doors of the shipping container 104 by awireless signal from the sensor module 128-4. Alternatively, otherembodiments of the wireless module could use a RFID system to power thesensor modules 128 from outside the shipping container 104.

The sensor modules 128 can include one or more of CBRNE (chemical,biological, radiation, nuclear and explosives), temperature, pressure,humidity, weight, acceleration, sound, video, image, infrared, radiation(e.g., light or RF) and/or other types of sensors. The sensor modules128 include a communication subsystem that can communicate directly withthe locking mechanism 108-1 or indirectly through other sensor modules128, a hub and/or a router. The communication subsystem can provide oneor more wired and/or wireless communication capabilities. For example,the sensor module 128-4 could serve as a hub sensor and the sensormodules 128-1, 128-2 and 128-3 could communicate information to the hubsensor module 128-4 and the hub sensor module 128-4 could forward theinformation to the lock mechanism 108-1.

The sensor modules 128 could be attached magnetically, with adhesives orcoupled in other ways so as to be anywhere internal or external to thecontainer 104 and/or the crates 122. In one embodiment, the sensormodules 128 can include wall mounted sensors (mounted on the interior orexterior walls of the shipping container 104), and/or cargo mountedsensors (e.g., mounted on the shipping crates 122). The sensor modules128 can be formed on or in a flexible material that includes an adhesivebacking in order to attach the sensors to the container 104.

In one embodiment, the sensor modules 128 use a polymer sensortechnology, such as but not limited to, fluorescent quenching ormolecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology that can registerdetection of a substance that has come in contact with the sensormodules 128 when in an powered or non-powered state. These technologiesinteract with an additional conductive polymer and/or nanotechnologylayer(s). The detection polymer and the conductive polymer ornanotechnology may be amalgamated or conjunctively combined. When thedetection polymer is contaminated with CBRNE or another item ofinterest, the detection polymer interacts with the other polymermaterials to store the detection information and/or a signal isgenerated and relayed to a microprocessor. The interaction can cause achemical, physical and/or electronic change that is recorded. The changesignifies that a detection of a target substance or substances hasoccurred. The detection event triggers changes in an electrical or datacharacteristic of the sensor that corresponds to the specific sensorstargeted triggering substance. Each sensor can have one or manydetection sensor inputs and can be configurable to accept combinationsof any CBRNE substances.

The sensor modules 128 can include different power configurationsincluding, an integral power source, a wireless power source which ispowered when it is placed within an electromagnetic field generated by aRFID reader or other wireless power source, or a power source that isintegrated with the container (e.g., a generator, a refrigeration unit,light circuits, etc.). Some sensor modules 128 have the ability todetect trace materials (vapors, emanations or particles) associated witha known compound that is or may be representative of an item ofinterest. Some sensor modules 128 detect the trace material(s) andreport it wirelessly to an RFID reader to deter, prevent or contain thepotential threat should it be validated. In addition to being able todetect the item of interest, some embodiments also provide an indicationof the volume or strength of trace materials detected.

Discussion of smart cards and systems incorporating polymer sensortechnology can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/123,387filed on May 19, 2008 and entitled “SMARTCARD CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL,RADIATION AND EXPLOSIVE DETECTOR,” and in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/189,705 filed on Aug. 11, 2008 and entitled “TRANSIT SECURITYDETECTION SYSTEM,” both of which are incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes. For the present embodiment, there can be one,two, three, four, or more sensors on a given smart card sensing package.The form factor of the smart card sensing module could be any size anduse adhesive or magnetism to attach to the interior of the shippingcontainer.

The sensor modules 128 and the lock mechanism 108-1 can also contain aunique authentication code such as, for example, a serial number, foridentification purposes, or a cryptographic key or public/privatecryptographic key pair. The authentication code of a certain sensormodule 128 and/or lock mechanism 108-1 can be used to identify whichsensor module 128 and which lock mechanism 108 a respective sensorsignal is being received by. In addition, the container can have aunique serial number. By linking the lock serial number, the sensorserial numbers and the container serial numbers, in a memory module ofthe lock mechanism 108 for example, the unique serial numbers could beused to maintain a chain of custody of the sensor information for eachof the sensor modules 128 associated with a given lock mechanism 108-1and associated with a given shipping container 104.

The wireless module of the lock mechanism 108-1 can also communicateinformation with an operations center subsystem 112 via thecommunication network 110. Some embodiments could use different wirelessmedia in the wireless module for communication with the sensor modules128 than is used for the communication network 110, while others use thesame wireless media. The information can include manifest data ofcontents of the shipping container 104, sensor data received from sensormodules 128 associated with the shipping container 104. Tracking datareceived by the operations center 112 from the locking mechanism 108-1is stored in a supply chain tracking database 116.

The lock mechanism 108-1 can also communicate information over thecommunication network 110 to a government interface 124. The governmentinterface 124 can be, for example customs, boarder patrol, etc. Thegovernment interface 124 allows the relevant governmental officials toaccess manifest, sensor, chain of custody, tracking information, etc.There can be different information that is made available to differentgovernmental agencies. Some non-governmental organizations may also haveaccess to certain information, for example, tracking information for ashipper or recipient of cargo. Some embodiments allow the governmentinterface to lock-down access to authorized personnel for a particularstorage container.

The lock mechanism 108-1 can also communicate with a portable wirelessdevice 120 and/or a local communication network 118. The portablewireless device 120 and/or the local communication network 118 can serveas an intermediary link to the communication network 110 in order forthe lock mechanism 108-1 to communicate with the operations center 112or the government interface 124.

In one embodiment, the local communication network 118 is a mesh/adhocnetwork (e.g., Zigbee). A mesh network is made up of multiple wirelessdevices that are not situated in permanent and/or well definedlocations. Other lock mechanisms 108-1 can be the wireless devices, alsoknown as nodes, of the mesh network. Other wireless devices can alsomake up nodes of the mesh network. Lock mechanisms 108-1 will continueto forward a message to other lock mechanisms 108, or other nodes, untilthe message reaches a node that can communicate with the communicationnetwork 110. By having multiple lock mechanisms 108 able to communicatewith each other via the mesh network, lock mechanisms 108 that arelocated deep in the hold of a ship, in a warehouse or buried under othershipping containers 104 in a port or depot can be able to communicatewith remote locations such as the operations center subsystem 112 or thegovernment interface 124 via the communication network 110.

The wireless device 120 can be a PDA, a cellular telephone, a satellitetelephone or a laptop computer. The wireless device 120 can use a shortrange wireless system such as Bluetooth, Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4),infrared, UWB, and/or WiFi to communicate with the lock mechanism 108-1.In one embodiment, the wireless device 120 is an RFID (e.g., ISO/IEC14443) reader that powers the lock mechanism 108-1 with an inductivepower signal. The wireless device 120 or other device communicating withthe active lock mechanism 108-1 uses public and/or private keys toauthorize and authenticate a communication channel. Once acryptographically-secure communication channel is configured,communication of commands and data through the communication channel canbe performed. In this way, locking, unlocking, data query, etc. can onlybe performed by authorized devices and/or individuals.

Referring next to FIG. 1B, another embodiment of an active containermanagement system 100-2 is shown. The container management system 100-2differs from the container management system 100-1 by including a lockmechanism 108-2 than includes only short range wireless communicationscapability such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, etc. The lock mechanism108-2 can use the short range wireless to communicate with acommunications package 130 coupled to the container 104 or with thelocal communication network 118.

The communication package 130 can be located outside of the container orinside the container with an external antenna. The communicationspackage 130 can include an integrated power source such as a solar celland/or battery. The communications package 130 could also be powered byelectrical systems of the container 104. The communications package 130can communicate with the local communications network 118 and thecommunications network 110 using short range and/or long range wirelesssystems.

The container management system 100-2 also includes a commercialinterface 134. The commercial interface 134 can run by a business entitythat tracks the transport of the container 104. The business entitycould be the entity in charge of the distribution of the contents of thecontainer 104 or could be a third party that is responsible for trackingthe container 104 during transport. The commercial interface 134 cancommunicate with the communications package 130 to retrieve informationthat the lock mechanism 108-2 has forwarded to the communicationspackage 130. Similarly, the commercial interface 134 can communicatewith the local communication network 118 to retrieve such information.The retrieved information can include manifest, sensor, chain ofcustody, tracking information, etc. The commercial interface 134 canalso communicate information to the lock mechanism 108-2 via the localcommunication network 118 or the communications package 130. Theinformation communicated to the lock mechanism 108-2 can include updatedmanifest information, identification and authentication code informationof new sensors to be added to the container 104, or updated operationalparameters for reprogramming the operational procedures of the lockmechanism 108-2.

Referring next to FIG. 2, another active container management system 200includes multiple active lock mechanism 208-1 through 208-n. The lockmechanisms 208 can be removably or fixedly attached to one or more doorsof shipping containers such as the shipping container 104 of FIG. 1. Thelock mechanisms 208 can be collocated with the shipping container in ahold of a ship, on a train, in a depot, etc. In addition, the lockmechanisms 208 can be located in different geographic locationsthroughout the world.

The lock mechanisms 208 are configured to communicate over acommunication network 210 to the operations center 112, the governmentinterface 124 and/or the commercial interface 130. The communicationnetwork 210 can include one or more wired and/or wireless networks suchas the communication network 110 and/or the local communication network118 of FIG. 1. As discussed above, the lock mechanisms 208 cancommunicate with each other using a wireless adhoc or mesh networkinstead of a hub and spoke communication topology. Lock mechanisms 208in a mesh configuration can pass information from other lock mechanisms208, or communications packages 130, until reaching part of thecommunication network 210 that can pass information to the governmentinterface 124 or operations center subsystem 112.

Referring next to FIG. 3, another active container management subsystem300 includes multiple lock mechanism 308-1 through 308-n. Unlike thelock mechanisms 208 in FIG. 2, the lock mechanisms 308 communicatewirelessly with a portable wireless device 320. The wireless device 320can be similar to the wireless device 120 discussed above in referenceto FIG. 1. The wireless device 320 can serve as an intermediate linkbetween the lock mechanisms 308 and a communication network 310 in oneembodiment. Other embodiments could optionally use the wireless device320 as an intermediate link or could communicate directly with thecommunication network 310 should it be available.

The wireless device 320 can communicate with the lock mechanisms 308 oneat a time or as a group. In this embodiment, the wireless device 320establishes secure communications links with the lock mechanisms 308 inorder to issue commands (e.g., lock and unlock commands), and tocommunicate data to and from the lock mechanisms 308. A securecommunication link with the communication network 310 couldalternatively be used. For example, the portable wireless device 320could communicate with active lock mechanisms 308 indirectly though thecommunication network 310.

Data communicated to the lock mechanisms 308 can include programmingparameters affecting how the lock mechanisms 308 function, or manifestinformation regarding contents of a shipping container 104 that aparticular lock mechanism 308 is securing. Data retrieved from the lockmechanism 308 can include log data including times, locations andsequence of events such as sensor readings. The data retrieved from thelock mechanisms 308 can also include manifest information regarding thecontents of a container that the lock mechanism is securing.

The wireless device 320 can forward information received from the lockmechanism 308 to the operations center 112 and/or the commercialinterface 134 via the communication network 310. The information is tiedto an authentication information such as an address, serial number, orcryptographic key, of an active lock mechanism 308, a shipping container104, and/or individual sensors. By knowing the address, serial number,or cryptographic key, the shipping container can be verifiably tied tospecific active lock mechanisms and sensors. By verifying that thecorrect authentication information is associated with the correctshipping container, chain-of-custody can be established. For example, ifa sensor were switched out with a faulty one after securing the shippingcontainer, the sensor would report an incorrect address or serial numbersuch that authentication would fail.

Referring next to FIG. 4, a block diagram of an embodiment of an activelock circuit 400 is shown. The lock circuit 400 can be part of any ofthe lock mechanisms 108, 208 or 308 discussed above. The lock circuit400 includes a processor 404, a lock controller 408, a latchingmechanism 412, a main battery 416, a backup batter 420, a memory 424, auser interface 426, a sensor module 428, a GPS receiver 432, a wirelessmodule 440, persistent storage (e.g., Flash, ROM or some othernon-volatile memory) 444 and an inductive power supply 448.

The processor 404 (or a microcontroller) runs software using the memory424 and/or the persistent storage 444. The persistent storage 444 can beused to store sensor data received from sensor modules associated with ashipping container that the lock mechanism is securing. The persistentstorage 444 can also store parameters that determine how the processor404 causes other modules of the lock circuit 400 to perform variousfunctions (e.g., periodic wakeup times, alarm trigger thresholds, etc.).

The lock controller 408 is coupled to the processor 404. The lockcontroller 408 can be a microcontroller or a state machine, depending onthe complexity of the functions being performed by the lock controller408. The lock controller 408 is configured to control the latchingmechanism 412 of a lock mechanism to lock and unlock doors of a shippingcontainer, or other container, to prevent access inside the shippingcontainer. The lock mechanism can be securely attached to a single barof a shipping container, in a state referred to as an idle lock state,where the shipping container is not locked, but the lock mechanismcannot be easily removed from the single bar without incurringsignificant damage to the lock mechanism and/or the container. In theidle lock state, the lock mechanism is secured to the single containerbar in such a way that the lock mechanism does not slide down thecontainer bar under its own weight. The latching mechanism 412 caninclude an active drive mechanism such as a hydraulic mechanism, asolenoid, or a screw drive, for example, to actuate locking members ofthe lock mechanism to be in the locked state. The latching mechanism 412can also include a passive mechanism that does not move locking membersthat attach to the shipping container. Passive latching mechanisms canutilize hydraulic means, magnetic means, or mechanical means forengaging the locking members when they are in a position to secure theshipping container. For example, a person could hand-move the lockingmembers to engage the latch assembly bars of a shipping container andthen the passive latching member could be activated, thereby engagingthe locking members.

During normal operating conditions, power is supplied, directly orindirectly (e.g., via the processor 404) to the various modules of thelock circuit 400 via the main battery 416, as indicated by the voltagesymbol V2 coupled to the main battery 416 and the other components.Prior to being associated with the shipping container, the lock circuit400 can be in a lower power mode and consumes little or no power fromthe main battery 416. The backup battery 420 is provided in order topower the lock circuit 400 if and when the main battery is low on power.The backup battery may supply power to a subset of the modules of thelock circuit 400, as indicated by the V3 symbol coupled to the backupbatter 420 and the associated components. Details of the use of thebackup battery 420 are discussed below in reference to FIG. 12.

The user interface 426 can include one or more input devices and/or oneor more output devices. Input devices can include one or more buttons,toggle switches, dials, etc. Output devices can include lights (e.g.,LEDs, LCDs, OLEDs, etc.), a display panel and/or an audio output. Insome embodiments, the user interface 426 is only available duringmanufacture and test. In the field, the lock circuit 400 is sealedwithin the enclosure of the lock mechanism. In one embodiment, theenclosure is sealed such that there are no wired interfaces to anyportions of the lock circuit 400. A PDA is used to wirelesslycommunicate with the user interface and provide a soft interface to thelock circuit 400.

The sensor module 428 can include passive sensors or active sensors.Passive sensors require no power to sense and record a change in acondition and can be analyzed/queried at a later date to determine ifthe condition has changed. The passive and active sensors could belocated inside the lock mechanism, on the outside of the shippingcontainer, on the inside of the shipping container, and/or attached tothe cargo. Active sensors require a power source and detect changescontinually or intermittently. Active sensors can be battery powered,powered from the container, powered with a wire from the lock mechanism,and/or wirelessly powered using RF fields supplied by a wireless powersignal.

The sensors subsystem 428 can include sensors configured to detect thepresence of the shipping container. For example, sensors could includebar sensors associated with hooks of the lock mechanism, where the barsensors are configured to detect that one or more bars of a shippingcontainer are in contact with the hooks. In addition, the sensor module428 can include a sensor to detect the door(s) of the shipping containerand/or verify that the doors are closed.

The sensor module 428 could also include sensors for detectingtemperature, pressure, humidity, radiation (e.g., light or RF) or anyCBRNE measurements. Accelerometers and/or strain gauges could also beincluded in the sensor module 428 in order to detect an attempt toforcibly remove the lock mechanism from the shipping container (e.g.,with a crowbar) or excessive movement that could damage the cargo.

The GPS receiver 432 is configured to receive signals, via a GPS antenna436, from a plurality of GPS satellites in order to determine the globallocation of the lock mechanism. Instead of, or in addition to GPS, othertypes of navigation systems such as GLONASS (Russia), Galileo, Beidou(China), WiFi assisted location systems, and/or cellular based locationsystems can also be used.

The wireless module 440 includes one or more wireless communicationsystems including WiFi (IEEE 802.11 standards), Bluetooth, Zigbee,cellular (e.g., CDMA, TDMA, GSM, etc.), WiMax (802.16), RFID (e.g.,ISO/IEC 14443), satellite (e.g., Comsat), or infrared. The wirelessmodule 440 includes one or more wireless antenna 442. In one mode, thewireless module 440 can use short range wireless (e.g., Bluetooth,Zigbee or WiFi) to communicate with sensor modules on/in the shippingcontainer or to communicate with a local network. In another mode, thewireless module 440 can use longer range communication links such ascellular, satellite, WiMax, etc., to communicate with the communicationnetwork 310 and/or portable wireless device 320. In some embodiments,the wireless antenna 442 (or the GPS antenna 436) is part of the lockmechanism that is used for other purposes (e.g., the housing, or one ormore locking members that engage the container).

The inductive power supply 448 is configured to receive a wireless powersignal from an external source, such as an RFID reader device, oranother device associated with the container. The external source couldbe one of the sensor modules 128, the communications package 130 or oneof the portable wireless devices 120 or 320, for example. The powersignal can be received from wireless power sources installed at weighstations, ports, depots, and other areas where shipping containers arelocated for extended periods of time. The external source supplies awireless power signal that is received by an inductive antenna of theinductive power supply 448 and inductively converted into electricalpower.

The power from the inductive power supply can be used to wakeup and/orpower any of the components of the lock circuit 400. In the embodimentshown, voltage V1 of the inductive power supple 448 is coupled to theprocessor 404, the active lock controller 408, the latching mechanism412, the sensor module 428, the wireless module 440 and the persistentstorage 444. Depending on the function being performed, the voltage V1of inductive power supply 448 can be selectively supplied to any ofthese components. For example, the inductive power supply 448 can usedinstead of the backup battery 420 to provide power to the active lockcontroller 408 and the latching mechanism 412 to provide a failsafeunlocking function. The inductive power supply 448 can also be used topower the persistent storage 444 to retrieve previously stored sensordata The persistent storage 444 could include a low powermicrocontroller that is powered by the inductive power supply 448. Insome embodiments, the sensor module(s) or other systems of the shippingcontainer wirelessly power the lock circuit 400.

In one embodiment, the inductive power supply 448 includes acommunication subsystem that can communicate wirelessly with sensormodules and or portable wireless devices. After being powered by thepower signal, the communication subsystem of the inductive power supply448 receives a data signal from one of the sensor modules and/or aportable wireless device. The data signal may or may not be receivedfrom the same device that the power signal was received from. Afterreceiving the data signal, the communication subsystem can save the datain a memory associated with the communication subsystem of the inductivepower supply 448, the persistent storage 444, or wakeup the processor404 and communicate the data to the processor 404.

The lock circuit 400 is exemplary only and other lock circuits caninclude more or fewer components, depending on the way in whichfunctions are distributed among the other components of the containermanagement system in which the lock circuit is being employed. In anygiven system, functions can be provided by various subsystems including,a lock subsystem, a sensor subsystem associated with the container orcontents within the container, or a communication subsystem coupled toor integrated with the container.

Referring next to FIG. 5A, a container management system 500-1 includesa lock subsystem 510-1, a sensor subsystem 540-1 and a communicationsubsystem 570-1. In the container management system 500-1, the lockmechanism is a simple (dumb) lock mechanism with the only components ofthe lock subsystem 510-1 being an inductive power supply 512 and alatching mechanism 516. The inductive power supply 512 receives a powersignal (indicated by a dashed line) being transmitted via an antenna 544coupled to a RF power transmitter 542 of the sensor subsystem 540. Theantenna 544 can be located in proximity to the lock subsystem 510-1 suchthat the received power signal is at a sufficient power level to powerthe latching mechanism 516. For example, the sensor subsystem 540-1could be just inside the container doors that the lock subsystem 510-1is securing.

The sensor subsystem 540-1 also includes a battery 546, sensor module(s)550 and a short range wireless module 554 with a short range antenna556. The sensor subsystem 540-1 can be removably mounted inside thecontainer doors that are being secured by the lock mechanism. Forexample, the sensor subsystem 540-1 could be magnetically mounted to oneof the container doors or stowed in a bag that is hanging inside thecontainer door. By being removable, the sensor subsystem 540-1 can bemoved from container to container to be re-associated with differentlock mechanisms and different containers.

Since there is a large amount of space in a container, the battery 546can be a rather large battery, e.g., shoebox size. Such a battery canprovide wired power to multiple sensor modules 550 integrated with thesensor subsystem, and/or provide power wirelessly to other sensormodules located away from the sensor subsystem 540-1.

The latching mechanism 516 can be a state machine. When the inductivepower supply 512 is powered up by the RF power transmitter 542, anencrypted command can be issued from the inductive power supply 512 tothe latching mechanism to lock, or unlock the lock mechanism. In someembodiments, the inductive power supply 512 provides enough power on itsown to unlatch or latch the lock mechanism. In other embodiments, theinductive power supply is coupled to a battery (not shown) and the powersignal from the RF power transmitter is used to charge the battery ofthe lock subsystem and the battery power is then used to latch orunlatch the lock mechanism.

The short range wireless module 554 communicates with a long rangewireless module 572 of the communications subsystem 570-1 (via a signalbetween the short range antenna 556 and an antenna 574 coupled to thelong range wireless module 572. The long range wireless module 512includes both short range wireless systems (e.g., one or more of WiFi,Bluetooth and/or Zigbee) as well as long range wireless systems (e.g., acellular network (WiMax, CDMA, GSM), or a satellite network)). The shortrange wireless module 554 communicates information indicative of statesof the sensor modules 550 and the lock subsystem 510-1 to the long rangewireless module 572 which then forwards such information to remotecenters such as the operations center 112, the government interface 124or the commercial interface 134.

The communications subsystem 570-1 also includes a GPS receiver 580 witha GPS antenna 582, and a power supply 576. The GPS receiver 580 is usedto gather location information. The location information is includedwith the sensor and lock mechanism data that is communicated to theremote data centers. The power supply 576 can be a solar array, abattery, or a connection to a power supply of the container.

Referring next to FIG. 5B, another container management system 500-2includes a lock subsystem 510-2, a sensor subsystem 540-2 and acommunications subsystem 570-2. The container management system 500-2differs from the container managements subsystem 510-1 in that thesensor subsystem 540-2 is simpler than the sensor subsystem 540-1 whilethe lock subsystem 510-2 is more complicated than the lock subsystem510-1. In addition, the communication subsystem 570-2 includes an RFpower transmitter 584 and an RF power antenna 586 that transmits a powersignal to an inductive power supply 512 of the lock subsystem 510-2. Apower supply 576 (e.g., a solar array, a battery or a power supply ofthe container) is large enough to provide wireless power to the locksubsystem 510-2.

The lock subsystem 510-2 also includes an active lock controller 520, alatching mechanism 516, a battery 524, a short range wireless module 526and a GPS receiver 530. The inductive power supply 512 is coupled to thebattery 524 to charge the battery 524. The battery 524 then suppliespower to the other components of the lock subsystem 510-2.

In contrast to the dumb lock subsystem 510-1, the active lock controller520 includes a micro-controller that performs monitoring andlocking/unlocking functions associated with the lock mechanism. A shortrange wireless module 526 is configured to communicate with anothershort range wireless module 554 of the sensor subsystem 540-2. Thesimple sensor subsystem 540-2 also includes a sensor module 550including one or more sensors associated with the container or contentsof the container. The sensor subsystem 540-2 can be powered by a battery(not shown) or a power source of the container (e.g., from a lightcircuit or a refrigeration system).

The lock subsystem 510-2 also includes a GPS receiver 530 with a GPSantenna 532. The short range wireless module 526 communicates sensordata, lock security data, and GPS location data to a long range wirelessmodule 572 (via a long range antenna 574). The long range wirelessmodule 572 communicates this data to one of the remote data centers.

Referring next to FIG. 5C, another container management 510-3 includes alock subsystem 510-3 and a sensor subsystem 540-3, but does not includea communications subsystem. The lock subsystem 510-3 includes all thecomponents of the lock subsystem 510-2, and also includes a long rangewireless module 536 with a long range antenna 537 and a RF powertransmitter 534.

The RF power transmitter 534 is used to provide power to the sensorsubsystem 540-3 by transmitting a power signal to an inductive powersupply 558. This is the opposite of the power arrangement of thecontainer management system 510-1 where the sensor subsystem 540-1supplied wireless power to the lock mechanism 510-1. The battery 524 ofthe lock mechanism 510-3 is large enough to be able to periodically, orupon receipt of a trigger event (e.g., detection of tampering with thecontainer) to provide power to the sensor subsystem 540-3.

Instead of receiving a wireless power signal from a communicationsubsystem, as in the container management system 510-2, the inductivepower supply 512 receives power signals from remote power transmitters592. Such remote power transmitters can be located at container depots,ports, loading docks, weigh stations or other points where the containeris located for an extended period of time.

The long range wireless module 536 receives sensor data from the shortrange wireless module 526 (sensor data retrieved from the sensor modules550) and receives lock data from the active lock controller 520. Thesensor and lock data is transmitted by the long range wireless module536 to wireless networks 590. The wireless networks 590 can include anywireless networks discussed above.

Referring next to FIG. 5D, yet another container management system 500-4includes a lock subsystem 510-4 and a communications subsystem 570-4,but does not include a sensor subsystem. Instead of communicatingwirelessly with a sensor subsystem in or on the container, the locksubsystem 510-4 includes a sensor module 538. The sensor module 538 cancontain sensors to detect tampering, environmental conditions, etc.

The lock subsystem 510-4 also includes a container power interface 518that is coupled directly to a container power supply 594. The containerpower supply 594 can be a light circuit, a refrigeration system or agenerator. The container power interface is coupled to the battery 524to maintain a charge level. The battery 524 can be used for backuppurposes when the container power supply fails or is not available forany reason.

The communications subsystem 570-4 includes another container powerinterface 596 coupled to the container power supply 594. The containerpower interface 596 can be coupled to the same container power supply594 as the lock subsystem 510-4 or a different one.

The container management systems 500 shown in FIGS. 5A-D are exemplaryonly and are not limiting. The components shown in the lock subsystems510, the sensor subsystems 540 and the communications subsystems 570 canbe rearranged or omitted. Other components can also be added. Forexample, other sensor modules (e.g., tamper modules) can be located inor on the container and can be powered by and communicate sensor datawith any of the subsystems.

Referring next to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, lock mechanisms 600-1 and 600-2are shown. The lock mechanisms 600-1 and 600-2 differ mainly in the wayprinted circuit boards 655-1 and 655-2 are oriented relative to housings650-1 and 650-2, respectively. The lock mechanisms 600 includes a clamphook 605, a clamp bar 610, a latch hook 615, a latch bar 620, a clampprobe 625, a latch probe 627, and a latching mechanism 630. Housings550-1 and 550-2 enclose the latching mechanism 630 and at least portionsof the clamp bar 610, the latch bar 620 and the clamp and latch probes625 and 627.

Latching mechanism 630 is a passive latching mechanism. When using apassive latching mechanism, the clamp bar 610 and the latch bar 620 canbe manually moved into position and then the passive latching mechanismcan be activated. Such manual movement of the clamp bar 610 and thelatch bar 620 can conserve power and prevent injury (e.g., losing afinger) that could result from hydraulic actuation or other poweredactuation.

The latching mechanism 630 includes a piston 631, a fluid chamber 632, afeed line 633 (shown in FIG. 6B), a valve 634 and a piston rod 636. Thelatching mechanism 630 is attached to the clamp bar 610 at one end ofthe latching mechanism 630, the end nearest the clamp hook 605, and isattached to the latch bar 620 via a connector 638 attached to the end ofthe piston rod 636. An aperture 612 is fanned in the clamp bar 610 suchthat the connector 638 passes through the aperture 612 and is attachedto the latch bar 620.

With the clamp and latch bars 610 and 620 each being attached to thelatching mechanism 630 at one point, they are basically floating in thehousing 650, having a tendency to rotate about the point where each isconnected to the latching mechanism 630. To add stability to thisconfiguration, the clamp and latch bars 610 and 620 pass throughapertures (not shown) formed in the housing 650. The apertures can besized to not allow the clamp and latch bars 610 and 620 to translate upand down significantly. Optionally, the apertures can be fitted withbushings to avoid metal contacting metal (in cases where the housing 650and the clamp and latch bars 610 and 620 are all made of a metal) and toprovide smooth low-friction motion.

The fluid chamber 632 contains a fluid such as a liquid or a gas.Liquids can include an oil (e.g., organic vegetable oil). The feed line633 connects the fluid chamber 632 on opposite sides of the piston 631.As an alternative to the feed line 633, a channel, or other fluidcoupling, could be formed in a body of an alternative latch mechanism,where the channel connects two portions of a fluid chamber also definedby the body of the latch mechanism. When the valve 634 is activated tobe in a closed position, the fluid cannot flow through the feed line 633and the locking mechanisms 600 is engaged in a locked state. When thevalve 633 is deactivated (opened), the fluid in the chamber 633 canfreely flow through the feed line 633 allowing the clamp bar 610 and thelatch bar 620 to be moved relative to each other. In one embodiment, thelatching mechanism 630 is capable of resisting a force of about fivetons when the valve 634 is activated.

In one embodiment, the valve 634 is a one-way valve. When the one-wayvalve is activated, the fluid in the fluid chamber 632 can flow throughthe feed line 633 in one direction to allow the clamp bar 610 and thelatch bar 620 to be pushed together, but not to be pulled apart (orvice-versa). Such a one-way valve allows the locking mechanism 600-1 tobe more securely tightened to container bars in the locked state, butnot to be removed.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the clamp hook 605 is disposed to bepartially wrapped around a door latch assembly bar 635 of a shippingcontainer door. With the latch assembly bar 535 positioned within theclamp hook 605, the clamp probe 625 is pushed inward such that a clampbar sensor (e.g., a mechanical switch 626 connected to the printedcircuit board 655-2) is tripped to complete a circuit such that the lockcontroller 408 senses that a bar is positioned within the clamp hook605. When the bar sensor 625 indicates that the latch assembly bar ispresent, the lock controller 408 activates the valve 634 to prevent theclamp bar 610 and the latch bar 620 from being moved relative to eachother. When attached to a single bar, e.g., the latch assembly bar 635,with the valve 634 in the activated state, the lock mechanism 600-2 isin the idle lock state. In the idle lock state, the lock mechanism 600-2cannot be removed from the latch assembly bar 635 during normaloperation. In other embodiments, latching mechanism 630 can be an activelatching mechanism such as a ratchet drive, a screw drive, a solenoid,etc.

The latch probe 627 is used to detect when another container bar ispositioned within the latch hook 615. As with the clamp probe 625, whenthe latch probe 627 is pushed inward such that a latch bar sensor (e.g.,a mechanical switch 628 connected to the printed circuit board 655-2) isallowed to complete a circuit, the lock controller 408 senses that a baris positioned within the latch hook 615. When the clamp and latch barsensors associated with the clamp probe 625 and the latch probe 627,respectively, both indicate that bars are present in the clamp hook 605and the latch hook 615, the lock controller 408 can permit the lockmechanism 600 to enter into a secure lock state and activate the valve634. In some embodiments, a third sensor (see mechanical switch 685 inFIGS. 6D and 6F) can be activated when both the clamp hook 605 and thelatch hook 615 are pushed together a certain distance. A valley can beformed in each of the clamp bar 610 and in the latch bar 620 such thatthe third sensor (e.g., the mechanical switch 685) is tripped when thevalleys formed in the clamp bar 610 and the latch bar 620 allow thethird sensor to be tripped. In this embodiment, the secure lock statecan be entered when all three sensors are tripped.

In one embodiment, all the sensors are mechanical switches and requireno power. In this embodiment, only a processor (or micro-controller), aclock and the valve 634 require power to operate the lock mechanism 600.

The dimensions of the housing 650, the clamp hook 605, the latch hook615, the lengths of the clamp bar 610 and the latch bar 620, and thelocations of the switches are designed and sized for a standardizedcontainer bar assembly. The lock mechanism 600 is sized for standard14.5 in. nominal bars used on ISO standard sea shipping containers. Thehousing 650 is about 11.375 in. in length, about 4.375 in. high andabout 2.5 in. deep. The clamp hook 605 protrudes out about 2.5 in. fromthe housing, when fully extended, and the latch hook 615 protrudes about3 inches from the housing when fully extended. Truck trailers and cargocontainers have different standardized dimensions. The dimensions of thelock mechanism 600 can be adjusted to fit these and other containerconfigurations.

The PCB's 655-1 and 655-2 include components of a lock circuit, such asthe lock circuit 400 of FIG. 4. The components formed on the PCBs 655can include the processor 404, the memory 424, at least a portion of thesensor module 428, the active lock controller 408, the GPS receiver 432,the wireless module 440, the persistent storage 444 and the inductivepower supply 448. Other components can also be formed on the PCBs 655.

The lock mechanisms 600-1 and 600-2 include four and three batteries660, respectively. A backup battery 665 is illustrated attached tobattery terminals 666 that are external to the housing 650-1. Thebatteries 660 can include the main batteries 416 and one or more backupbatteries 420. The external battery terminals 666 can connect theexternal battery 665 to the active lock controller 408 in order toprovide failsafe power to unlock the lock mechanism in case thebatteries 660 fail or run low on power. In addition, the externalbattery 665 can be connected to the persistent storage 444 to retrievepreviously stored sensor or lock data. Circuitry (not shown) attached tothe external battery terminals 666 can be configured to withstand largevoltages to avoid an attempt by a perpetrator to damage the lockmechanism 600. Voltages in a range from about 200 volts up to about 450volts and higher can be received without damaging the lock circuitry.

A power switch 667 is located on a bottom surface of the housings 650.The power switch 667 is pushed by a user to wake up the lock mechanism600.

The clamp hooks and latch hooks 605 and 615 shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6Care one example of lock members that can be used to engage portions of acontainer door, a latch assembly bar in this example. Lock members cantake other forms besides the flat bar-hooks shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and6C. For example, a lock member could comprise a rod with a circular,elliptical, or other shaped cross section formed into a C-shape, aJ-shape, a U-shape, a question mark shape, or other shape.

Referring next to FIGS. 6D and 6E, another lock mechanism 600-3 isillustrated. The lock mechanism 600-3 is another embodiment sized for anISO standard sea shipping container as were the lock mechanisms 600-1and 600-2. However, the lock mechanism 600-3 includes two clamp rods670-1 and 670-2 connected to a stand alone clamp hook 605, and two latchrods 672-1 and 672-2 attached to a stand alone latch hook 615. The clamprods 670 and the latch rods 672 are stabilized within the housing of thelock mechanism 600-3 by a first bulkhead 675 and a second bulkhead 677.The first bulkhead 675 is rigidly attached to the clamp rods 670 and thesecond bulkhead is rigidly attached to the latch rods 672.

The first bulkhead moves within the housing 650-3 along with the clamprods 670 when the clamp hook 605 is moved. The second bulkhead 677 movesalong with the latch rods 672 when the latch hook 615 is moved. Thelatch rods 672 are further stabilized by a bushing 680 at the end of thehousing 650-3 near the latch hook 615 and the clamp rods are furtherstabilized by another bushing (not shown) at the end of the housing650-3 nearest the clamp hook 605.

A spring 690 is attached to the bushing 680 and the first bulkhead 675.In one embodiment, the spring 690 is compressed with the clamp and latchhooks 605 and 615 in the inner most position, as shown. In thisembodiment, the spring expands and pushes the clamp hook 605 away fromthe housing 650-3 when the latch mechanism 630 is not locked. In anotherembodiment, the spring is in a stretched state and pulls the clamp bar605 toward the housing 650-3.

Using two rods to support each of the clamp and latch hooks 605 and 615can allow for a thinner housing 650-3 compared to having the clamp andlatch bars 610 and 620 positioned back to back in the housing 650-1 or650-2.

Referring next to FIG. 6F, yet another lock mechanism 600-4 is shown.The lock mechanism 600-4 is similar to the lock mechanism 600-3 exceptfor being sized for a truck (or trailer-tractor) container instead of asea container. The latch assembly bars of truck containers are closertogether than those of sea containers. The housing 650-4 can be sized tofit within the latch assembly bars of truck containers (or cargocontainers).

Many of the components used for the lock mechanism 600-3 can be reusedfor the lock mechanism 600-4. For example, the PCB board 655-3 is thesame size as the PCB board 655-4. The same latch mechanism 630 can beused for both the 600-3 and 600-4 lock mechanisms.

FIG. 6F shows a fluid chamber 632 that is part of the latching mechanism630. The fluid chamber is hidden by the latching mechanism 630 in FIG.6D. The fluid chamber 632 is the same as the fluid chamber 632illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The fluid chamber 632 is attached to thefirst bulkhead 675 and moves along with the clamp hook 605 and the clamprods 670. The piston rod 636 of the fluid chamber 632 in FIGS. 6D and 6Fare attached to the second bulkhead 677 and is actuated by movement ofthe latch hook 615. The valve 634 is hidden by the other components inthe lock mechanisms 600-3 and 600-4. A second latch assembly bar 640 isengaged by the latch hook 615 in FIG. 6F.

The lock mechanism 600-4 (and 600-3) includes a battery pack 662 (notshown in FIG. 6D) that includes 8 batteries. Some of the batteries inthe battery pack 662 can be main batteries while others can be backupbatteries.

Attaching the lock mechanism to latch assembly bars, as shown in FIGS.6A-6F, is only one exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, lock memberscould be configured to be secured to other portions of a container. Forexample, lock members could be configured to be secured to door handles,latches, recesses formed in the doors or container walls, holes formedin the doors or container walls, rings, etc. The housing of the lockmechanism could be permanently attached to one of the doors or anotherportion of the container and a single lock member could be configured toattached to the latch assembly bar of the other door of the container.In some embodiments, the lock mechanism could be mounted inside thecontainer or integral with one of the container doors.

FIGS. 7-10 show flow diagrams of four exemplary processes for operatingthe lock circuit 400 of FIG. 4. Each of the processes are performed inpart by an external device such as a mobile device (e.g., the portablewireless devices 120 and 320) operated by a certified user (e.g., acustoms agent, dock inspector, etc.).

The processes include methods for locking the lock mechanism to ashipping container in the idle lock state, locking the lock mechanism toa shipping container in a secure lock state, communicating data betweenthe lock mechanism and the mobile device upon request by the mobiledevice, and unlocking the lock mechanism from the shipping container.

Referring next to FIG. 7, a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process700 for locking a lock mechanism to a shipping container in the idlelock state is shown. In reference to FIGS. 4 and 7, at block 704, thelock controller 408 receives an input signal via the user interface 426.The input signal can be the result of the user activating a button, aswitch, a dial or other input device of the user interface 426. In oneembodiment, the inductive power supply 448 receives an RF power signaland forwards an indication of the power signal to the processor 404, andoptionally provides power to the processor 404.

Upon receiving the input signal, the process 700 continues at block 708where the processor 404 issues a wakeup command to the lock controller408. Block 708 can be omitted if the lock controller 408 is alreadyawake.

Continuing to block 712, the lock controller 408 initiates a mobiledevice discovery and handshake protocol. The details of the protocolvary depending on the type of communication system that is being used.In this embodiment, the lock controller 408 acts as the master in thediscovery and handshake protocol with the mobile device of the userbeing the slave. Alternatively, the mobile device of the user could bethe master device and the lock controller 408 could be the slave.

At block 712, the lock controller 408 establishes a communication linkwith the mobile device. The lock controller 408 transmits a signal tothe mobile device requesting a PIN. The lock controller 408 ispre-programmed with the PIN that must be provided by a mobile device inorder to be paired with the lock controller 408. The user enters the PINinto the mobile device and the mobile device transmits the PIN to thelock controller 408 via the wireless module 440.

The discovery and handshake performed at block 712 can also include asynchronization portion. Each lock mechanism has a serial number andeach container has a serial number. In addition, the sensors to beassociated with the lock mechanism and the container have serial numbers(or any other type of authentication code such as cryptographic keys).The lock serial number, the container serial number and any sensorserial numbers can all be synchronized at block 712 to allow for supplychain management. In one embodiment, the user enters a container numberin order to lock the lock. The user of the mobile device can provide thecontainer serial number and/or any sensor serial numbers during thehandshake routine. In some embodiment, the mobile device is used toenroll sensors and other communication devices (e.g., the communicationspackage 130) with the lock mechanism using private/public key methods.

In one embodiment, a lock mechanism contains software stored in memoryto provide a website interface that can communicate with the mobiledevice at the block 712. The website can allow the user to log intousing a private key (e.g., the PIN). The user can perform the discoveryand handshake routines at the block 712 by using existing software onthe mobile device (e.g., a web browser or similar software).

At block 716, the lock controller 408 verifies a successful handshake ifthe PIN (or other authentication code such as a digital signature)received from the mobile device matches the pre-programmed PIN. If thehandshake was not successful, the process returns to block 712. Uponsuccessful completion of the handshake, the process continues to block720.

At block 720, the lock controller 408 receives a latch command from themobile device. The latch command is a request to lock the lock mechanismto one of the latch assembly bars of the shipping container. The latchcommand can be received via the wireless module 440. Alternatively, theuser could use one or more input devices on the user interface 426 toissue the latch command.

At block 724, the lock controller 408 exits an unlocked state and entersa lockable state which can be indicated by a flashing light on the userinterface 426. At block 728, the user, in response to seeing theflashing light, manually clamps the clamp hook on one of the latchassembly bars. In embodiments with an active latching mechanism (e.g., ahydraulic, magnetic or screw type drive), the active latching mechanismcould perform the clamping at the block 728.

At block 732, the lock controller 408 queries the sensor module 428 todetermine if one of the sensors (e.g., the clamp sensor associated withthe clamp probe 625 illustrated in FIG. 6) has detected presence of thefirst latch assembly bar in the clamp hook. If the first latch assemblybar 635 is not detected (e.g., within a predetermined time limit), thelock controller 408 enters the unlocked state at block 740 and theflashing light of the user interface 426 is deactivated. Subsequent toentering the unlocked state at block 740, the process 700 can return toblock 704 or block 720 to re-establish the discovery/handshake, or toreceive another latch command, respectively.

Upon successful detection of the first latch assembly bar in the clamphook at block 732, the lock controller 408 activates the latchingmechanism (e.g., activates the valve 534 shown in FIG. 6), at block 736,to lock the lock mechanism to the first latch assembly bar and the lockcontroller 408 enters the idle locked state. Upon the lock controller408 entering the idle locked state, the process 700 terminates and othercommands can be processed if needed.

Referring next to FIG. 8, a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process800 for locking a lock mechanism to a shipping container in the securelock state is shown. In reference to FIGS. 4 and 8, at block 804, theuser positions the latch hook near/around a second latch assembly bar ofthe shipping container. If the lock mechanism is already locked to thefirst latch assembly bar (in the idle lock state), the user can simplyrotate the lock mechanism toward the second bar. If the lock mechanismis not attached to either bar and is in the unlocked state, the user canposition the clamp hook and latch hook around both bars.

At block 808, the processor 404 receives an input signal via the userinterface 426. The input signal can be the result of the user activatinga button, a switch, a dial or other input device of the user interface426.

Upon receiving the input signal, the process 800 continues at block 812where the processor 404 issues a wakeup command to the lock controller408. Block 812 can be omitted if the lock controller 408 is alreadyawake.

At blocks 816 and 820, the discovery and handshake protocol can beperformed in the same way as described above in reference to blocks 712and 716, respectively.

At block 824, upon successful completion of the handshake, the lockcontroller 408 receives a latch command from the user. The latch commandreceived at block 824 can be the same latch command as received at block720. Here, container bar sensors associated with the latch hook and theclamp hook (e.g., the clamp probe switch 626 and the latch probe switch628 shown in FIGS. 6D and 6F) can be used to detect that bars arecontacting both the latch hook and the clamp hook in order to identifythat this is a request for attaching the mechanism in the secure lockstate as opposed to the idle lock state.

Alternatively, the latch command received at block 824 can be a securelatch command that is distinguishable from the latch command received inthe process 700.

The latch command can be received via the wireless module 440.Alternatively, the user could use one or more input devices on the userinterface 426 to issue the latch command that is received at block 824.

At block 828, the lock controller 408 leaves a current state, e.g., theunlocked state or the idle locked state, and enters the lockable statewhich can be indicated by a flashing light on the user interface 426. Atblock 832, the user, in response to seeing the flashing light, manuallyclamps the clamp hook and the latch hook to both of the latch assemblybars. This can be done by the user pushing on both hooks causing thehooks to contact both latch assembly bars.

At block 836 and in further reference to FIGS. 6D and 6F, the lockcontroller 408 queries the sensor module 428 to determine if both thelatch hook switch 628 associated with the latch probe 627 and the clamphook switch 626 associated with the clamp probe 625 (and optionally athird switch 685 associated with both the clamp and latch bars 610 and620 or both rods 670 and 672, as discussed above) have been tripped,thereby indicating the presence of both of the latch assembly bars. Inaddition, the lock controller 408 could query if a door sensor of thesensor module 428 detects the presence of one or both doors of thecontainer. If the bars and/or the door(s) are not detected (e.g., withina predetermined time limit), the lock controller 408 enters the unlockedstate, at block 844, and the flashing light of the user interface 426 isdeactivated. Subsequent to entering the unlocked state, the process 800can return to block 804 or block 824 to re-establish thediscovery/handshake, or to receive another latch command, respectively.

Upon successful detection of the bars and/or the door(s), at block 836,the lock controller 408 activates a latching mechanism (e.g., the valve634 of FIG. 6), at block 840, to lock the lock mechanism to the bars andthe lock controller enters the secure lock state. Upon entering thesecure lock state, the process 800 terminates and other commands can beprocessed if needed.

Referring next to FIG. 9, a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process900 for communicating data between the lock mechanism and the mobiledevice, in response to a request by the mobile device, is shown. Blocks904 to 916 are performed to establish a secure communication linkbetween the user's mobile device and the lock controller 408. The blocks904-916 are similar to the blocks 704-716, respectively, discussed abovein reference to FIG. 7. In one embodiment, a website stored in memory ofthe lock mechanism is used to establish the secure communication linkbetween a web browser of the mobile device and the lock controller 408.The blocks 904-916 can be omitted if a secure communication link hasalready been established (e.g., during execution of any of the processes700 and/or 800).

Upon successful completion of the handshake, the lock controller 408receives a data request command from the mobile device at block 920. Thedata request command can be a request to transfer data from the mobiledevice to the lock circuit 400, or a request to receive data from thelock circuit 400.

At block 924, the active lock controller 408, transmits and/or receivesthe requested data to and/or from the mobile device via the wirelessmodule 440. Multiple pieces of data can be communicated in eitherdirection at block 924.

The data request command can be a request to communicate lock mechanismstatus information. Such status information can include changes in stateof the lock mechanism including, for example, activations (userinitiated power-up), unlock events, removal of lock mechanism from oneor both latch assembly bars (based on container bar sensors), irregularde-engagement of lock mechanism (non-user initiated), and locking events(both idle lock and secure lock events). Each manifest entry is storedwith a time stamp (e.g., Greenwich Mean Time).

The data request command can be a request to communicate a containermanifest listing the contents of the shipping container. This can be arequest to communicate the manifest list to the lock circuit 400, e.g.,when the container is first loaded, or when the contents of thecontainer have changed. The request for the manifest could also be arequest to receive an already stored manifest from the lock circuit 400(e.g., when the container arrives at a destination). Manifestinformation can include serial numbers, or other authentication codes(e.g., a cryptographic key or keys), for devices associated with thelock mechanism. Serial numbers can include lock serial numbers,container serial number, sensor serial number and communicationsubsystem serial numbers. Additional manifest information can includelock maintenance details including maintenance history, maintenancelocation identifiers and maintenance technician identifiers.

The data request command received at block 920 could also be a requestto receive sensor data that the lock circuit 400 has received fromsensor modules associated with the container, or from sensors in thesensor module 428. Such a request could be made by tracking personnel atvarious points during transport. The request for sensor data could berelated to all sensors, or the request could specify which sensor(s) therequested data is related to.

The requested data could also be associated with a location log for thesystem. In this case, location data that was calculated by the GPSreceiver 432 and stored in the memory 424 or the persistent storage 444is communicated to the mobile device.

The requested sensor data could be sensor data the has been storedpreviously in the memory 424 or the persistent storage 444.Alternatively, the request for sensor data could be a request for acurrent sensor reading, in which case, the lock circuit 400 wouldretrieve current sensor states from the requested sensors.

Referring next to FIG. 10, a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process1000 for unlocking the lock mechanism from the shipping container isshown. Blocks 1004 to 1016 are performed to establish a securecommunication link between the user's mobile device and the lockcontroller 408. The blocks 1004-1016 are similar to the blocks 704-716,respectively, discussed above in reference to FIG. 7. The blocks1004-1016 can be omitted if a secure communication link has already beenestablished (e.g., during execution of any of the processes 700-900).

Upon successful completion of the handshake, the lock controller 408receives an unlock command from the mobile device via the wirelessmodule 440 (or from the user via the user interface 426) at block 1020.

Upon receipt of the unlock command, the process continues to block 1024and the lock controller 408 deactivates the latching mechanism (e.g., apassive latching mechanism such as the valve 634 of FIG. 6, or an activelatching mechanism such as a solenoid, hydraulic cylinder, screw device,etc.) to allow the latch and clamp bars to be moved into, or to move thelatch and claim bars into the unlocked position. The process 1000continues at block 1028, where the lock controller 408 enters theunlocked state. The lock controller 408 can deactivate any lights orother indicators on the user interface 426

Referring next to FIG. 11A, a flow diagram of a process 1150 forenrolling other devices to communicate in a secure group of devicesincluding a lock mechanism is shown. Blocks 1154, 1158, 1162 and 1166are performed to establish a secure communication link between theuser's mobile device and the lock controller 408. The blocks 1154, 1158,1162 and 1166 are similar to the blocks 704-716, respectively, discussedabove in reference to FIG. 7. The blocks 1154, 1158, 1162 and 1166 canbe omitted if a secure communication link has already been established(e.g., during execution of any of the processes 700-900).

Upon successful completion of the handshake, the lock controller 408receives an authentication code of a sensor or communication module toenroll in a group of devices that the lock controller 408 will bepermitted to communicate with at block 1170. The communication at block1170 can be received via the wireless module 440 from a mobile device orfrom a remote data center. A sensor or communication module that isbeing enrolled can be associated with a sensor subsystem of thecontainer that the lock mechanism is securing or a sensor subsystemassociated with another container. The sensor or communication modulethat is being enrolled can also be associated with the lock mechanism(e.g., the wireless module 440, the GPS receiver 432 or the sensormodule 428) or can be associated with a communications subsystemassociated with the container. The authentication code can be a serialnumber or a cryptographic key such as a public key of a public/privatekey pair.

Upon receiving the authentication code at the block 1170, the process1150 continues to block 1174 where the lock controller 408 establishes acommunication link with the sensor or communication module which theauthentication code is associated with. The communication link can be awireless link established via the wireless module 440, or a wired link(e.g., established via the processor 404 to another component of thelock mechanism or any component wired to the lock mechanism).

Upon establishing the communication link at the block 1174, the process1150 continues to block 1178 where the lock controller 408 and themodule being enrolled initiate a discovery and handshake procedure. Ifthe discovery and handshake procedure is determined to be successful atblock 1182, the process 1150 proceeds to block 1186 where the lockcontroller 408 stores the authentication code in association with theenrolled module into the memory 424 or the persistent storage 444. Ifthe handshake procedure was unsuccessful, the discovery and handshakeprocedure is repeated at block 1178.

The handshake procedure performed at block 1178 can take various forms.The lock controller 408 could receive the authentication code from themodule being enrolled, where the authentication code could be encryptedor not. In embodiments where the authentication code of the module beingenrolled is a cryptographic key(s), the lock controller 408 and themodule being enrolled could exchange authentication messages using thecryptographic key(s). For example, if the authentication code receivedby the lock controller 408 at block 1170 is a public key of apublic/private key pair, the authenticity of a message could be verifiedby the sensor module creating a digital signature of a message using thesensor module's private key, and the lock controller 408 could verifythe authenticity of the message using the public key.

In some embodiments, the handshake process at block 1178 is abidirectional process where the lock controller 408 authenticates thesensor or communication module and the sensor or communication moduleauthenticates the lock controller 408. The bidirectional type ofauthentication allows secure verifiable communication in bothdirections. Similar methods can be used by the sensor or communicationmodule to authenticate the lock mechanism.

At block 1190, it is determined if more modules need to be enrolled. Auser could be queried by the user interface 426 as to whether or notmore modules need to be enrolled. If it is determined that no moremodules are to be enrolled, the process 1150 proceeds to block 1194,where the lock controller 408 transmits enrollment information via thewireless module 440 to the mobile device or a remote data center,whichever is performing the enrollment process 1150. If more modules areto be enrolled, the process 1150 continues back to block 1170 to repeatthe procedures in blocks 1170, 1174, 1178, 1182, 1186 and 1190.

Sensors or communication modules can also be de-enrolled from a lockmechanism using a process similar to the process 1150. The functions atblock 1154, 1158, 1162 and 1166 can be performed as described above, butthe lock controller 408 receives an authentication code of a sensor orcommunication module to de-enroll. The lock controller then deletes fromthe memory 424 or the persistent storage 444 any information related tothe sensor or communication module associated with the receivedauthentication code.

With reference to FIG. 11B, a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process1100 for operating a lock circuit to report sensor data, location data,and/or other information is shown. The process 1100 can be performedafter the sensors and communication modules associate with the lockmechanism have been enrolled with the lock mechanism using the process1150. At stage 1104, the processor 404 wakes up the lock controller 408.The wakeup can be a periodically schedule wakeup (e.g., once a day), awakeup triggered by one of the sensors of the sensor module 428, or awakeup triggered by one of the sensor modules associated with theshipping container. Other wakeup triggers can also be provided.

In one embodiment, a sensor module located in/on the shipping containerwakes up the lock circuit 400 via a RFID power signal received by theinductive power supply 448. For example, the sensor module 128-4attached to the door of the shipping container 104 in FIG. 1 could beable to provide such a power signal. RFID power signals (e.g. ISO/IEC1443/RFID standard power signals) can penetrate walls. The RFID signalcould be a vicinity signal (having a range of about one meter) or aproximity signal (having a range of about one cm to about ten cm).

At block 1108, the lock controller 408 receives sensor data from thesensor modules that it has been paired with (using the process 1150).The received data can include a timestamp to be stored with the sensordata.

The lock controller 408 receives the sensor data by establishingcommunication links with the sensor modules using protocols similar tothe discovery and handshake protocol discussed above. The communicationlinks can be encrypted for privacy.

At block 1110, the lock controller authenticates the sensor data basedon the authentication code that the sensor was enrolled with during theprocess 1150 discussed above. The authentication at block 1110 cancomprise verification of a digital signature, verification of anencrypted serial number, or other form of authentication. At block 1111,the lock controller 408 determines, based on the authentication code,whether the sensor data received at block 1110 is authentic. If theauthentication check is positive, the process 1100 continues to block1112, otherwise, the process 1100 returns to blocks 1108 and 1110 tore-receive the sensor data and perform another authentication check.

If the sensor data is authentic, the lock controller 408 stores thesensor data into the memory 424 or the persistent storage 444. Thesensor data is stored in association with a time stamp, which can beprovided by the sensor module and/or the lock controller 408. The sensordata can also be cross referenced with location data (e.g., from the GPSreceiver 432). This will provide a complete log of sensor data for latertransmittal to an external device or operations center.

At block 1116, the lock controller 408 determines if any of the sensorsthat were polled at block 1108 have changed to a state that triggers areport sequence. A change in state that triggers a report sequence couldbe a change from a non-alarm state to an alarm state, such as with CBRNEtype sensors. A change in location greater than a specified distancecould also trigger a report. An accelerometer, or strain gauge sensor inthe sensor module 428 could also trigger an alert, e.g., in response tosomeone attempting to forcibly remove the lock mechanism from thecontainer doors. Other sensor-based triggers could also be envisioned.

In some embodiments, the lock controller 408 can be configured toconsider the states, and/or change of states, of multiple sensors inmaking the determination at block 1116. The lock controller can usepreviously stored sensor data, location data, lock and unlock states ofthe lock, collectively, in making a determination at block 1116 if achange of state of the sensors, and/or the lock, is actually a change ofstate deemed worthy of reporting. The lock controller can create acumulative signature of the states of all sensors associated with thelock in combination with the lock condition and determine, based on thecumulative signature, the new state of the combinedsensor/lock/container system. For example, the cumulative signaturecould indicate that the lock is no longer attached to the container(indication of a real intrusion), or that the lock is secured to thecontainer but the sensors indicate a possible intrusion (e.g., the locksensors indicate that the lock is locked, but the container sensorsindicate excessive heat, acceleration, motion, etc.). The type ofcumulative signature state that is determined at block 1116 is used, insome embodiments, by the lock controller 408 to identify what kind ofdata is provided from the lock controller to a remote data center atblock 1124, discussed below.

If none of the sensors have changed states and/or no alerts have beentriggered, the process 1100 continues to block 1128 where the lockcircuit 400 returns to the sleep mode. If a sensor has changed stateand/or an alert has been triggered, the process 1100 continues to block1120, where the lock controller 408 establishes a communication linkwith an operations center such as the operations center 112 of FIGS.1-3.

The communication link can be established using one or more of thewireless technologies included in the wireless module 440 discussedabove. The communication link established at block 1120 can be with alocal network (Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiFi), a cellular network (WiMax,CDMA, GSM), a satellite network, or any other available network. Thechoice of which communications link to use could be based on apredetermined choice starting with a lowest power option and proceedingto higher power options when lower power options are not available.

At block 1124, the lock controller 408 provides the wireless module 440with data which the wireless module 440 transmits to the operationscenter. The data can include data indicative of the change of state ofthe sensor, data indicative of the status of all the sensors and/or dataindicative of the alert that triggered the transmission.

In addition to transmitting the sensor data at the block 1124, the lockcontroller 408 can also provide the wireless module with time andlocation data to be transmitted to the operations center. In oneembodiment, chain of custody data such as a serial number associatedwith a sensor and/or a serial number associated with the lock mechanismcan also be provided to the wireless module to be transmitted to theoperations center.

In some embodiments, the communication link used in blocks 1120 and 1124is a two way communication link. In these embodiments, the operationscenter can request additional data from the lock mechanism.

Upon finishing the transmission of data at the block 1124, the lockcircuit 400 returns to the sleep mode at block 1128.

In one embodiment, sensors/switches associated with the clamp probe 625,the latch probe 627 and the clamp and latch bars 610 and 620, asdiscussed above, can be used to wake up the processor 404 and/or thelock controller 408 at block 1104. If any one of the sensors/switcheschanges state (e.g., from a closed state to an open state), theprocessor 404 and/or lock controller 408 is awakened. When the lock isin a sleep mode (any lower power mode) and one of the sensors/switchesof the lock changes state, the sensor/switch activates wake-up-logic inthe processor 404 and/or the lock controller 408 at the block 1104. Theprocessor 404 and/or the lock controller 408 then receives the change ofstate indication at block 1108 and stores the change of state and arepresentation of the time at the block 1112. The representative timemay not be a very accurate indication of the time that the change ofstate actually occurred, due to the time required to wakeup theprocessor 404 and/or the lock controller 408, but it can be accuratewithin about 40 seconds.

Shipping containers can be on route to a destination for weeks or evenmonths at a time. Therefore, a power supply, such as the main battery416 of FIG. 4, could run low on power. In this embodiment, a backuppower supply, such as the backup battery 420 can be used as a failsafepower supply in situations where the main battery 416 runs low on power.

Referring next to FIG. 12, a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process1200 for providing a failsafe power supply for unlocking the lockmechanism is shown. At block 1204, the lock mechanism receive power fromthe main batter 416 and the power is provided to the various componentsand subsystems of the lock circuit 400 as needed.

At block 1208, the lock controller 408 determines a remaining batterylife of the main battery 416. The determination at block 1208 can bebased on an accumulation of data indicative of current draw and/orvoltage of the main battery 416. The processor 404 can receive thecurrent draw and or voltage data an provide this data to the lockcontroller 408 for processing or the lock controller 408 can receive thedata directly. Alternatively, one or more algorithms can be used topredict the remaining battery life. The algorithms can be dependent onvarious conditions. The conditions on which the algorithm depends caninclude time, a number and type of functions performed (e.g., functiontypes including transmitting or receiving data, querying sensor modules,locking and unlocking, etc.), environmental conditions (e.g.,temperature, humidity, pressure, altitude, etc.), or a combination ofany of these and other conditions.

At block 1212, the lock controller 408 determines if the battery levelremaining is below a threshold value (e.g., a percentage such as, forexample, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen,fourteen or fifteen percent). If the remaining battery level is notbelow the threshold value, the process 1200 returns to perform thefunctions at blocks 1204 and 1208.

If the remaining battery level is determined to be below the thresholdvalue at block 1212, then the process 1200 continues to block 1216,where the active lock controller 408 automatically issues a command tothe processor 404 to put the lock circuit 400 into a lower power mode.

While in the lower power mode at block 1216, fewer components orsubsystems are powered by the remaining battery life of the main battery416. For example, substantially all subsystems of the lock circuit 400except the processor 404 (or a portion of the processor 404), and/or theactive lock controller 408 may not be powered and the processor 404and/or the lock controller 408 can receive enough power from the mainbattery 416 during lower power mode to detect an input signal (e.g., abutton being pushed by a user of the portable wireless device 120 or320) from the user interface 426. In addition, the lock controller 408can increase the time period between periodic power ups of subsystems ofthe lock mechanism that are normally powered up periodically when thelock mechanism is in the lower power mode.

At block 1220, the processor 404 and/or the lock controller 408 monitorsthe user interface or the wireless module 440 for an input signalindicating to unlock the lock mechanism. The process 1200 continues toloop between blocks 1216 and 1220 until the input signal to unlock thelock mechanism is detected. The input signal could be a button that isdedicated to unlocking the lock mechanism when the main battery hasfallen below the threshold level. The input signal could also bereceived wirelessly via the inductive power supply 448 or the wirelessmodule 440. In one embodiment, the input signal is generated byprocessor 404 and/or the lock controller 408 when it has been determinedthat the main battery 416 has nearly zero charge and a backup battery420 becomes nearly discharged. The charge of the backup battery 420 canbe determined as discussed above in reference to the main battery 416.In this embodiment, the unlock process could be granted by the lockcontroller 408 without operator intervention.

Upon detecting, at block 1220, that the input signal to unlock the lockmechanism has been received, the process 1200 continues to block 1224,where the processor 404 and/or the lock controller 408 are awakened andthe lock controller 408 issues a failsafe mode command to receive powerfrom the backup power source.

At block 1224, the lock controller 408 performs the unlocking process1000 of FIG. 10 including the authorization (e.g., the discovery andhandshaking) with a wireless device in order to receive a security code(e.g., a PIN or other authentication code). If the proper security codeis received, then the lock controller 408 commands the latchingmechanism 412 to unlock the lock mechanism by performing the unlockprocess 1000 of FIG. 10 using the backup power supply. If the propersecurity code is not receive, the lock circuit is put back into lowerpower mode.

In one embodiment, the lock controller 408 is pre-programmed with adefault failsafe security code that is used in a failsafe unlockscenario. In this embodiment, the user can contact the operations centerto get the default security code. Encryption and authentication could beused to communicate the default security code.

The default security code could be a one time only security code wherethe lock controller 408 is configured to zero out a security code memorysubsequent to unlocking the lock mechanism. This could prevent futureunauthorized use of the lock mechanism.

The backup power supply used for the failsafe unlocking in the process1200 could be the backup battery 420. The backup battery 420 has atleast enough power to be able to unlock the lock mechanism at least onetime. In this way, the backup battery allows the lock circuit 400 to beable to unlock the shipping container even if the main battery 416 is ata level that is not sufficient to unlock the locking mechanism.

The processor 404 or the lock controller 408 can couple power from themain battery 416 to the backup battery 420 upon initial wakeup andperiodically to ensure that the backup battery 420 has sufficient powerfor a last one-shot unlock event. Like all batteries, the backup battery420 can experience self discharging (e.g., due to leakage) even when itis not being used. In one embodiment, the processor 404 or the lockcontroller 408 monitors the voltage of the backup battery 420 toidentify when the backup battery 420 has self discharged beyond athreshold level. When the backup battery 420 has discharged beyond thethreshold level, the processor 404 or the lock controller 408 couplesthe main battery 416 to the backup battery 420 to charge the backupbattery 416 to a fully charged, or nearly fully charged, state.

As an alternative to monitoring the voltage of the backup battery, whichcan in itself waste energy in the backup battery 416, an algorithm canbe used to estimate battery life. The algorithm can depend on variousconditions including time, temperature, pressure, humidity, altitude,etc.

The backup power supply could also be an external battery such as theexternal battery 665 shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the backup powersupply could be the inductive power supply 448.

In addition to providing power for a failsafe unlocking scenario, thebackup battery 420 could be used to report detection of the lockmechanism being tampered with. During the lower power mode at block1216, the processor 404 or the lock controller 408 could use powerreceived from the main battery 416 (the remaining ten percent) tomonitor accelerometers and/or strain gauges in the sensor module 428. Ifthese sensors indicate that the lock mechanism is being tampered with orwas tampered with, the backup battery 420 could be used to report thetampering to the operations center. Other sensors associated with thelock mechanism or other sensor subsystems associated with the containercould also be monitored.

The processes 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1150, and 1200 shown in FIGS.7, 8, 9, 10, 11A, 11B and 12 are exemplary only and not limiting. Theprocesses 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1150, and 1200 may be altered,e.g., by having blocks added, removed, or rearranged.

Referring next to FIG. 13A, a side view of a lock mechanism 1300-1latched to a latch assembly bar 1305 on a container door 1310 is shown.The lock mechanism 1300-1 is attached to the container bar 1305 with aclamp hook 1315. The lock mechanism 1300-1 includes a body (e.g., ahousing) 1320-1. The body 1320-1 includes a sloped or beveled frontsurface 1325. The front surface 1325 is sloped such that if anothercontainer is lowered into position in front of the container 1310, aback surface of the other container will not catch on the body 1320-1when the other container is lowered into position. The sloped surface1325 prevents the other container from catching on the body 1320-1 anddamaging the lock mechanism 1300. The sloped front surface 1325 can bestraight, rounded, elliptical or another shape that avoids catchingwhile pushing the other container away from a profile of the clamp hook1315.

The lock mechanism 1300-1 extends out from the latch assembly bar 1305by a distance 1335. In some embodiments, the distance 1335 is less thanabout half an inch and/or less than about fifty percent of a thicknessof the body 1320-1. A width of the lock mechanism measured parallel tothe container doors an perpendicular to the latch assembly bar 1305 lessthan the distance between the two latch assembly bars (latch assemblybar 1305 and another latch assembly bar not shown). The height of thebody 1320-1 can be increased in order to fit all the equipment withinthe body 1320-1. The housing 1320-1 could also include a sloped surfaceat the bottom as illustrated by the dashed line 1340. The clamp hook1315 and the latch hook (not shown) can include sloped upper and loweredges, as indicated by the dashed lines 1345 and 1350.

Referring next to FIG. 13B, a side view of another lock mechanism 1300-2is shown. The lock mechanism 1300-2 is similar to the lock mechanism1300-1 except that body 1320-2 includes curved surfaces 1355, 1360, 1365and 1370 instead of the sloped surfaces 1325, 1340, 1345 and 1350 of thelock mechanism 1300-1. The curved surfaces 1355, 1360, 1365 and 1370 canalso prevent other containers and/or lock mechanisms from catching onthe lock mechanism 1300-2.

Preferably, the lock mechanisms 1300 weighs less than about 10, 15, 20,or 25 pounds. The housings 1320 can be formed of a plastic, fiberglass,composite, or metal shell in various embodiments.

Referring next to FIG. 14, a block diagram of an embodiment of awireless sensor module circuit 1400-1 is shown. The wireless sensormodule circuit 1400-1 is embedded in a sensing module 128 in thisembodiment, but could be embedded into anything. A processor 1404 ormicrocontroller runs software using the memory 1428. The software can beheld in the persistent storage 1408 such as flash, ROM or some othernon-volatile memory. The persistent storage 1408 can be used to storeidentifiers for the wireless sensor module circuit 1400-1 and sensorreadings. Various amounts of historical sensor readings can also bestored in the persistent storage 1408.

This embodiment of the sensor module circuit 1400 is used as asmartcard. A security processor 1424 can be used for authentication,authorization or secure storage of information. Other embodiments couldbe used for no more than sensing items of interest without the othersmartcard functionality. Some embodiments could have a separate wired orwireless smartcard circuit completely separate from the sensor modulecircuitry rather than integrating the two functions as in thisembodiment.

A wireless transceiver 1412 allows bi-directional communication with thewireless sensing circuit 1400. The antenna 1432 is used for thiscommunication. Other embodiments could have multiple transceivers andantenna tuned to other frequencies and/or configured to work with otherstandards. Some embodiments could have only transmission capability inthe wireless sensor module circuit 1400.

A power supply 1416 allows intermittent energy supply to the wirelesssensing module circuit 1400. When in range with a reader (e.g., an RFIDreader), energy is coupled to the coil 1436 and converted intoappropriate voltages by the power supply 1416. The wireless sensormodule circuit 1400 becomes fully functional when properly energized bythe reader.

This embodiment has passive sensors 1420 that do not require power torecord exposure to items of interest. For example, fluorescent quenchingpolymers or molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology can reportdetection of a substance that has come in contact with the item sensor1420 when the wireless sensor module circuit 1400 is in an powered ornon-powered state. The item sensor 1420 can read a chemical, physical,or electronic change in the MIP. The change signifies that a detectionof a target substance or substances has occurred. Each item sensor 1420can be configured to be sensitive to one or more compounds orconditions.

When the wireless sensor module circuit 1400 is next powered, theexposure of the detection polymer can be recorded in the persistentstorage 1408 as exposure information. The value of the exposureinformation can be a value indicative of the amount of exposureexperienced. The characteristics of the detection polymer can be suchthat the resistance (or some other electrically readable characteristic)changes as a function of exposure.

Referring next to FIG. 15, a communication system 1500 includes multiplecontainers 1505, multiple locking mechanisms 1510 securing doors of thecontainers 1505, a terrestrial communication device or cell 1515(referred to hereafter as terrestrial cell 1515), a platform 1520, and asatellite communication device or cell 1525 (referred to hereafter assatellite cell 1520). The platform 1520 represents any location wheremultiple containers 1505 could be collocated. For example, the platform1520 could be a mobile vehicle such as a ship, a train, a truck, anaircraft, etc. The platform 1520 could also be a depot, a warehouse, atrain yard, a shipyard, etc.

The terrestrial cell 1515 and the satellite cell 1525 are communicationlinks to communication networks such as the communication networks 110,210 or 310, or the local communication network 118 described above inreference to FIGS. 1-3. The terrestrial cell 1515 and the satellite cell1525 are examples of systems that the lock mechanisms 1510 can use tocommunicate with remote locations such as the operations center 112, thegovernment interface 124 or the commercial interface 134 of FIGS. 1-3.Other types of links to communication networks/systems can also beincluded in the communication system 1500.

The lock mechanisms 1510 include circuitry including one or morewireless communication modules such as illustrated and described abovein reference to the active lock circuit 400 of FIG. 4. The lockmechanisms 1510 communicate with each other by forming an adhoc or meshnetwork. Three types of lock mechanisms are illustrated. The first typeof lock mechanism is a satellite master lock 1510-1. The satellitemaster lock 1510-1 is equipped with a satellite communication network(e.g., Satcom) that is configured to communicate with the satellite cell1525 vie a satellite signal 1527. The second type of lock mechanism is aterrestrial master lock 1510-2. The terrestrial master lock 1510-2 isequipped with a terrestrial communication network (e.g., CDMA, TDMA,GSM, etc.) that is configured to communicate with the terrestrial cell1515 via a terrestrial signal 1517.

The satellite master lock 1510-1 and the terrestrial master lock 1510-2are also equipped with one or more short range wireless communicationnetworks (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee (802.15.4), etc.) to communicatewith other lock mechanisms 1510 in the mesh network via a short rangesignal 1513. Because the satellite master lock 1510-1 and theterrestrial master lock 1510-2 can communicate with lock mechanisms 1510as well as external satellite or cellular communication networks, theyare also called cells and can be referred to as satellite master cell1510-1 and terrestrial master cell 1510-2.

The third type of lock mechanism 1510 is a sub-cell 1510-3. Thesub-cells 1510-3 are not able to communicate to any external networks,but only can communicate with other subcells 1510-3 or one of thesatellite cells 1510-1 or terrestrial cells 1510-2, via the short rangewireless links 1513. The reason for this inability to communicate toexternal networks can be because: 1) the particular subcell 1510-3 isnot equipped with a proper communication subsystem (e.g., wireless orsatellite) to communicate with external networks; or 2) the particularsubcell 1510-3 is located in a position on the platform 1520 such thatit is unable to communicate (e.g., due to a portion of the platform 1520or one or more containers 1505 blocking the signal).

The lock mechanisms 1510 are powered internally (e.g., with batteries).For this reason, the lifetime of the batteries can be extended if thepower consumption of the lock mechanisms 1510 is reduced. One method ofcontrolling power consumption is by waking up the processors andcommunication subsystems of the lock mechanisms on a synchronizedperiodic basis to report changes is states of sensors and or lockstates. This can be accomplished by using a synchronized time referencesuch as used by GPS and some cellular networks. The clocks of the lockmechanisms can also be synchronized periodically even if they do nothave access to an external clock in order to wake up at the sameperiodic report time. This can be accomplished using one of several knowclock synchronization algorithms.

The frequency of the wakeup/reporting periods will determine the powerconsumption rate of the lock mechanisms. A lock mechanism 1510 can begrouped into different mesh groups according to which communicationtechnology a lock mechanism 1510 has. Mesh groups can include Bluetoothgroups, WiFi groups and/or Zigbee (802.15.4) groups. For example, themesh network of FIG. 15 includes four mesh groups 1530, 1535, 1540 and1545. In this example each mesh group 1530-1545 has only one mastercell, either a satellite master cell 1510-1 or a terrestrial master cell1510-2. However, a mesh group could have multiple masters. Differentmesh groups can have different periodic cycles depending on the powerrequirements of the communication technology being used by the group.The lock mechanisms 1510 in a mesh group can be enrolled with each otherusing the process 1150 discussed above in reference to FIG. 11A.

The frequency of the wakeup/reporting periods of a lock mechanism 1510or group of lock mechanisms 1510 can be varied by 1) decreasing thefrequency of the reporting periods proportionately to the number of hopsor links in the mesh needed to reach a master cell (this conserves powerfor all locks in the mesh network), 2) increasing the frequency of thereporting period due to changes in state of a lock mechanism 1510 orchanges is state of neighbor lock mechanisms 1510, 3) basing thefrequency on geographic location (e.g., decreasing the frequency whenthe lock mechanisms are located in the middle of the ocean or increasingthe frequency when they are located at port), 4) basing the frequency ondeviations from the stored manifest of lock mechanisms 1510, and/or 5)increasing the frequency if a previous report is not acknowledged from aremote operations center within a certain time frame.

A particular lock mechanism 1510 can monitor neighbor lock mechanisms1510 that it is able to communicate with during the periodicwakeup/reporting periods. If one or more of the neighbor lock mechanisms1510 that the particular lock mechanism 1510 previously communicatedwith are no longer available, then the particular lock mechanism 1510can report the change in neighbor lock mechanisms 1510. This can alertthe operations center to a neighbor container being moved. The frequencyof the periodic report period can be increased if the number ofneighbors changes (e.g., one is missing).

In one embodiment, master cells (1510-1 and 1510-2) can shareresponsibility for reporting changes to the outside (e.g., theoperations center 112, the government interface 124 or the commercialinterface 134). This will spread out the power demands and lessen thelikelihood that a master cell will run low on power. For example, thetransmit power needed by a particular master cell 1510-1 or 1510-2 tocommunicate to the external networks can be used to load shareproportionately among the master cells 1510-1 and 1510-2.

The operations center 112, the government interface 124 or thecommercial interface 134 can attempt to ping a particular lock mechanismthrough the mesh network in order to initiate a report. This can beaccomplished by pinging for a specific lock mechanism in a certaingeographic area, via satellite or cellular communications networks,where the geographic location can be determined by the manifest of theparticular lock mechanism 1510. Alternatively a terrestrial cell 1515 ofa certain ship/train/truck or depot where the particular lock mechanism1510 is supposed to be located could be pinged with the identificationnumber of the lock mechanism in order to initiate the report. The pingscould be synchronized with the locks to be in a certain window in asimilar fashion to the periodic wakeup/reporting times discussed above.

In some embodiments, a lock mechanism can be configured to detect if acontainer or the lock mechanism itself has been breached. If a lockmechanism detects the container or the lock mechanism itself beingbreached, the lock mechanism can report the detection along withtimestamp and lock/sensor/container identification/authenticationinformation to an operations center as described above in reference toFIG. 11B. Examples of breach detection methods and apparatus will now bedescribed.

One method of detecting a breach utilizes one or more radiation sensors.In one aspect, the radiation sensor is a light sensor that detects lightin one or more wave lengths. A light sensor inside the container orinside the lock housing could detect the container being breached (e.g.,removing a door or cutting a hole in one of the walls) or could detectthe lock housing being breached (opened, cut or broken), respectively.If the light sensor detects a change in the ambient light of thecontainer or the lock housing, the sensor will wake up the processor 404and/or the lock controller 408 of the lock mechanism (or an inductivepower supply circuit) and will transmit information regarding the lightreadings, time stamp and sensor identification to the lock mechanism.Alternatively, the sensor could wait until the lock mechanism wakes upand then transmit the information.

The radiation sensor could also comprise RF sensors (e.g., AMtransceivers) located in the lock and in the container. The RF sensor inthe lock mechanism could periodically monitor the RF sensor in thecontainer. If the signal strength of the signal received by RF sensor inthe lock mechanism increases above a threshold level, this could be anindication that the container has been breached (e.g., a door removed ora hole cut in the container.

Another method of detecting a breach of the container utilizes one ormore motion sensors such as an accelerometer or rate gyro in the lockmechanism or attached to a door of the container, for example. If themotion sensor detects a rotational rate (angular velocity) greater thana threshold rate, then this could be indicative of the doors beingopened or at least that the lock mechanism is not secured to both barsof the container. Alternatively, if the motion sensor detects an angleof rotation greater than a threshold angle, then this could alsoindicate that the door or doors have been opened or that the lockmechanism is not secured to both bars of the container.

Referring next to FIG. 16, a shipping container system 1600 includes ashipping container 1605 and a lock mechanism 1610 secured to two latchassembly bars 1625 and 1630. A clamp bar 1615 is cinched to the leftlatch assembly bar 1630 and a latch bar 1620 is cinched to the rightlatch assembly bar 1625. In this embodiment, the latch assembly bars1625 and 1630 and the clamp and latch bars 1615 and 1620 areelectrically conductive.

The lock mechanism 1610 includes an electronic signal generator (notshown) coupled to latch bar 1620 (or coupled to the clamp bar 1615) andan electrical signal detector (not shown) coupled to the clamp bar 1615(or coupled to the latch bar 1620). The electrical signal generatortransmits a signal of a known shape (e.g., a modulated signal includinga known code, e.g., a serial number, modulated on a carrier wave) andstrength into the right latch assembly bar 1625. The transmitted signaltravels through the bar 1625 and through the container, as illustratedby the electrical signal lines 1635-1, 1635-2 and 1635-3. As theelectrical signal travels through the right latch assembly bar 1625,through various portions of the container 1605 and through the leftlatch assembly bar 1630, it will be attenuated, delayed and/or shaped,thereby affecting the profile of the signal that is received by theelectrical detector coupled to the clamp bar 1615. The path of the pulseillustrated by the lines 1635 is completely arbitrary for illustrativepurposes only.

An initial signal calibration can be made when the lock mechanism 1615is first secured to the latch assembly bars 1625 and 1630. Thecalibration can involve receiving an initial signal or signals andanalyzing the profiles (e.g. generating time histories or frequencyresponses). The calibration signal profiles can be averaged and storedto memory. This stored signal profile can be use to compare to pulseprofiles received in the future in order to detect changes in thecontainer or parts of the container. Alternatively, a statisticalanalysis of the signal profiles collected during calibration can bedetermined and used to be able to identify signal profiles that are notstatistically likely to occur when the container is not breached.

An example breach that could be detected by this methodology is a hole1640 that is cut into a side of the container 1605. Without the hole1640 formed in the container 1605, the electrical signal could travelalong lines 1635-1, 1635-2 and 1635-3 as in the calibrationmeasurements. However, after the hole 1640 is formed, the signal willtravel around the hole 1640, or at least be affected in some way by thehole 1640, and the pulse received at the electrical detector will beaffected in one-way or another. The difference between the receivedsignal profile compared to the stored calibration signal profile, or thestatistical parameters, can be determined by the processor of the lockmechanism 1610. If the difference is greater than a threshold level,then the breach of hole 1640 can detected.

Another example of a breach that could be detected by this methodologyis removal of one or more hinges 1645 from the container 1605. Removalof the hinges 1645 could allow one of the doors to be opened and thecontents of the container 1605 could be removed. The lock mechanism 1610would still be connected to the latch assembly bars 1625 and 1630, soany sensors configured to detect the presence of the latch assembly bars1625 and 1630 would be of no use. However the electrical signal receivedby the lock mechanism 1610, as illustrated by the electrical pulse lines1635-2 and 1635-3, could be affected by the removal of the hinges 1645.Other types of breaches could also affect the path of the electricalpulse(s) and the received pulse profile and could be detected by thelock mechanism 1610.

Instead of an electrical detector coupled to the clamp bar 1615, somesystems utilize an electrical signal detector located in anothersubsystem of the container. For example, the electrical signal detectorcould be located in a sensor subsystem inside the container or in acommunication package attached to the container. In these embodiments,the sensor subsystem or the communication subsystem could make thecomparison with the calibration signal and detect whether therelationship between the lock and the container has changed.Alternatively, the sensor subsystem or the communication subsystem couldtransmit information indicative of the received signal back to the lockmechanism 1610 and the lock mechanism 1610 could perform the comparison.

As an alternative to electrical pulses, a vibration or mechanicalpulse(s) could also be transmitted to one of the latch assembly bars1625 or 1630 and received from the other latch assembly bar 1630 or1625, respectively, via an accelerometer or some other sensor. Themechanical pulse could be generated by a solenoid or some other knownvibrator means. Another alternative system could use an ultrasoundtransmitter and an ultrasound detector (e.g., a microphone). Theultrasound signal will be affected by the relationship between the lockand the container. In some embodiments, the detected ultrasound signalcould be processed to isolate a direct signal from the ultrasoundtransmitter to the ultrasound detector from the echo signals such thatonly the echo signals are analyzed.

Regardless what type of transmitted signal (electrical, mechanical,ultrasound or other) is used, the lock mechanism can perform the breachdetection process after receiving a trigger indicator. The triggerindicator could be a period of time elapsing. The trigger indicatorcould be a change of state of a sensor associated with the lock, thecontainer or another container or lock. The trigger could be a soundcaptured by a microphone associated with the lock mechanism where soundrecognition is used to identify sounds made by a hammer, a torch, a jackhammer, a metal saw, or other device commonly used to breach acontainer. The trigger could be a camera in the lock mechanism capturinga picture of the door relative to the lock changing from a securedposition to another position. Other trigger indicators could also beused.

In addition to being able to detect a breach of the container 1605 afterbeing secured, the electrical pulse. (or mechanical pulse) methodologycould also be used to detect when the lock is being secured to a barthat is not part of the container (e.g., a person could insert anotherpole sized similarly to the latch assembly bars 1625 and 1630 into thelatch bar 1620 when the lock is supposedly be secured to the latchassembly bars 1625 and 1630. Since the pole would not be connected tothe container 1605, at least not in the same way as the latch assemblybar 1625, the pulse received by the electrical detector or theaccelerometer would be non-existent or at least not within an expectedprofile range (the lock mechanism 1610 could store an expected profilerange in memory).

When there are multiple containers located in the same location, signaldetectors of one lock mechanism could mistakenly receive a signal fromanother lock mechanism and erroneously determine that a breach hasoccurred. As discussed above, a code such as a serial number could bemodulated on the signal, this code could be used to distinguish one lockfrom another. Alternatively, the signal transmitter and signal detectorscould be synchronized to perform the tests on a time randomized basisand/or at random frequencies. Such randomization (or pseudo-random) canalso reduce the risk of detection of a signal from another lockmechanism.

Referring next to FIG. 17A, a process 1700 a flow diagram of anembodiment of a process 1700 for calibrating a lock mechanism to performa process for detecting tampering with a shipping container is shown.With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17A, the process 1700 starts at block1704 where a user attaches the lock mechanism 1610 to the container 1605in a secure manner. In the embodiment shown, the clamp bar 1615 and thelatch bar 1620 are cinched to the latch assembly bars 1630 and 1625. Theuser can put the lock mechanism 1610 into the secure lock mode using theprocess 800 discussed above in reference to FIG. 8.

Upon the lock mechanism 1610 being secured to the latch assembly bars1625 and 1630, the user initiates a calibration mode. The user caninitiate the calibration mode using a user interface such as the userinterface 426 of FIG. 4. At block 1712, the lock controller determinesif the lock mechanism 1610 is properly locked to the latch assembly bars1625 and 1630 (e.g., using the clamp and latch probe switches 626 and628 discussed above). If the lock is not properly locked, the processreturns to block 1704 and the user re-attaches the lock mechanism 1610.If the lock mechanism 1610 is properly secured to the latch assemblybars 1625 and 1630, the process 1700 continues to block 1716.

At block 1716, the signal generator (e.g., an electrical signalgenerator, a mechanical pulse generator, an ultrasound transmitter orother signal generator) generates a calibration signal and couples thesignal to the container 1605. At block 1720, the signal detector,located in the lock mechanism 1610 or a sensor subsystem orcommunication subsystem associated with the lock 1610, receives thesignal after being affected by the container 1605. At block 1724, thereceived signal is analyzed to determine if it is acceptable.Acceptability can be based on a received signal to noise ratio of a codethat is modulated on the signal. If it is determined that the receivedsignal is not acceptable, blocks 1716 and 1720 are repeated. If it isdetermined at block 1724 that the received signal is acceptable, theprocess 1700 continues to block 1728.

At block 1728, the lock controller, or another processor ormicroprocessor associated with a sensor subsystem or communicationsubsystem receiving the signal at block 1720, analyzes the receivedsignal to determine information indicative of characteristics of thereceived signal. The indicative information can be an average signalprofile or statistical measurements of multiple received signalprofiles. Depending on the number of calibrations that have been made,or based on the confidence level of the statistical measurementsdetermined at block 1728, it can be determined at block 1732 if morecalibrations are necessary. If more calibrations are necessary, theprocess returns to block 1716. If no more calibrations are necessary,the process proceeds to block 1736.

At block 1736, the lock controller stores the information indicative ofthe received signal into non-volatile memory. The process 1700 thenends. The stored information is used to detect changes in therelationship between the lock mechanism 1610 and the container 1605, aswill now be discussed.

Referring next to FIG. 17B, a process 1750 for detecting tampering witha shipping container is shown. With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17B, theprocess 1750 starts at block 1754 where the lock controller receives atrigger event indication. As discussed above, the trigger eventindication can be a period of time elapsing, a change of state of asensor associated with the lock, the container or another container orlock, a sound captured by a microphone, a picture captured by a camera,or other type of trigger event indication. Upon receiving the triggerevent indication, the lock controller initiates a tamper detection mode.

At block 1762, the lock controller causes the signal generator (e.g., anelectrical signal generator, a mechanical pulse generator, an ultrasoundtransmitter or other signal generator) to generate the tamper testsignal and, in some embodiments, couple the tamper test signal to thecontainer via one of the clamp hook 1615 or the latch hook 1620. Thetamper test signal is similar in profile to the calibration signals usedto calibrate the lock mechanism 1610 using the process 1700 discussedabove.

At block 1766, the transmitted tamper signal is received at the signaldetector after being affected by the container, as discusses above. Atblock 1770, the lock controller, or a processor or microprocessorassociated with a sensor subsystem or communication subsystem thatreceives the signal, analyzes the received signal to determine a currentprofile of the received signal.

At block 1778, the stored calibration signal profile information isretrieved. The retrieved profile information is compared, at block 1782,to the current information determined at block 1770. The comparison canbe a correlation of a signal profile or a comparison of measuredcharacteristics of the current received signal to statisticalparameters.

At block 1786, the lock controller determines if the comparisonperformed at block 1782 indicates that the current received signal iswithin the statistical or threshold limits of the stored calibrationinformation. If it is determined that the current profile is within thecalibration profile limits, then the process 1750 terminates. If it isdetermined that the current profile is not within the calibrationlimits, then the lock controller determines that the relationshipbetween the container 1605 and the lock mechanism 1610 has changed andthe process 1750 continues at block 1790.

At block 1790, the lock controller stores information indicating thatthe relationship between the lock mechanism 1610 and the container 1605has changed. At block 1794, an alarm signal is transmitted to a remotelocation such as the remote data center 112, the government interface124 or the commercial interface 134 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The alarmindication can include information identifying the trigger event and thecharacteristics of the current signal profile that was received andanalyzed.

The processes 1700 and 1750 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B are exemplaryonly and not limiting. The processes 1700 and 1750 may be altered, e.g.,by having blocks added, removed, or rearranged.

As discussed above, some embodiments of latching mechanisms inaccordance with the disclosure utilize a one-way valve to inhibit motionof a hydraulic piston of the latching mechanism in one direction whilepermitting motion of the piston in another direction. FIGS. 18A, 18B,18C and 18D are embodiments of latching mechanisms utilizing one-wayvalves to inhibit motion of a piston.

Referring to FIG. 18A, an embodiment of a latching mechanism 1800-1includes a fluid chamber 1805, a piston 1810 and a piston rod 1815. Thelatching mechanism 1800-1 also includes a one-way intake valve 1825coupled to a rear portion of the fluid chamber behind the piston 1810. Afluid coupling 1820 (e.g., a feed line) couples the one-way intake valve1825 to a forward portion of the fluid chamber 1805. When the one-wayintake valve 1825 is controlled to be in the open state, fluid (e.g., agas or a liquid) can freely flow in both directions and the piston rod1815 and the piston 1805 can move in two directions. When the one-wayintake valve 1825 is controlled to be in the closed state, fluid (e.g.,a gas or a liquid) can freely flow in only one direction and the pistonrod 1815 and the piston 1805 can move only move forward.

Referring next to FIG. 18B, another embodiment of a latching mechanism1800-2 includes a one-way outtake valve 1830 coupled to a rear portionof the fluid chamber behind the piston 1810 and an aperture formed inthe forward portion of the fluid chamber 1805. There is no fluidcoupling in this embodiment, and this embodiment uses gas in the fluidchamber but does not use liquid. When the one-way outtake valve 1830 iscontrolled to be in the open state, gas can freely flow in bothdirections and the piston rod 1815 and the piston 1805 can move in twodirections. When the one-way intake valve 1825 is controlled to be inthe closed state, the gas can freely flow in only one direction and thepiston rod 1815 and the piston 1805 can move only move backwards.

Referring next to FIG. 18C, another embodiment of a latching mechanism1800-3 a one-way intake valve 1825 coupled to the forward portion of thefluid chamber. A fluid coupling 1820 (e.g., a feed line) couples theone-way intake valve 1825 to the rear portion of the fluid chamber 1805.When the one-way intake valve 1825 is controlled to be in the openstate, fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid) can freely flow in bothdirections and the piston rod 1815 and the piston 1805 can move in twodirections. When the one-way intake valve 1825 is controlled to be inthe closed state, fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid) can freely flow inonly one direction and the piston rod 1815 and the piston 1805 can moveonly move backward.

Referring next to FIG. 18D, another embodiment of a latching mechanism1800-4 includes a one-way intake valve 1825 coupled to a rear portion ofthe fluid chamber and a one-way outtake valve 1830 coupled to theforward portion of the fluid chamber 1805. There is no fluid coupling inthis embodiment, and this embodiment uses gas in the fluid chamber butdoes not use liquid. When the one-way intake valve 1825 and the one-wayouttake valve 1830 are both controlled to be in the open state, gas canfreely flow in both directions and the piston rod 1815 and the piston1805 can move in two directions. When either the one-way intake valve1825 or the one-way outtake valve 1830 is controlled to be in the closedstate, the gas can freely flow in only one direction and the piston rod1815 and the piston 1805 can move only move forwards. In an alternativeembodiment, either the one-way intake valve 1825 could be replaced by anouttake valve 1830, or the outtake valve 1830 could be replaced by aone-way intake valve 1825. In these alternative embodiments, one of thetwo one-way intake or outtake valves 1825 or 1830 could be selectivelycontrolled to be in the closed state to permit the piston rod 1815 andthe piston 1810 to move either forward or backward.

The latching mechanisms 1800-1, 1800-2, 1800-3 and 1800-4 are exemplaryonly and are not limiting. Other combinations of one-way intake valves1825, one-way outtake valves 1830, apertures 1830 and fluid couplings1820 can be used.

The locking mechanisms discussed above included two locking memberscoupled to portions of hydraulic latching mechanisms, and the lockingmembers were hooks configured to engage latch assembly bars to lockcontainer doors in the closed position. However, embodiments inaccordance with the disclosure can have different configurations.

Referring next to FIG. 19A, an embodiment of a locking mechanismincludes a latching mechanism 1900 fixedly attached to a first containerdoor 1910 is configured to lock container a second container door 1905and the first container door 1910 in a closed position using a singlelock member 1930. In this embodiment, a piston rode 1925 of the latchingmechanism 1900 is configured to engage a portion of the locking member1930 when the locking member 1930 is engaged to a lock ring 1935attached to the second door 1905. The locking member 1930 is slidablyattached to the first door 1910. The locking member 1930 is formed withat least one aperture that the piston rod 1925 can engage with to lockthe locking member 1930 in place when the locking member 1930 is engagedwith the lock ring 1935. The latching mechanism 1900 can be configuredwith one of the one-way valve systems illustrated in FIGS. 18A-18D thatpermits the piston rod 1925 to be moved toward the locking member 1930when the one-way valve is in the closed state.

Referring next to FIG. 19B, another configuration of a lock mechanismincludes the latching mechanism 1900 fixedly attached to the first door1910 and configured to lock the container doors 1905 and 1910 in aclosed position using a single lock member 1930. In this embodiment, thepiston rode 1925 of the latching mechanism 1900 is coupled to thelocking member 1930 and the locking member 1930 is configured to engageto the lock ring 1935 attached to the second door 1905. The latchingmechanism 1900 can be configured with one of the one-way valve systemsillustrated in FIGS. 18A-18D that permits the piston rod 1925 and thelocking member 1930 to be moved toward the lock ring 1925 when theone-way valve is in the closed state.

The locking mechanisms illustrated in FIG. 16 included locking memberswith J-hooks configured to engage latch assembly bars. Alternativeembodiments of locking mechanisms with different shape end portions willnow be discussed. Referring next to FIG. 20A, a locking mechanism 2000-1includes two locking members with U-hook end portions 2010 and 2015configured to engage first and second latch assembly bars 2020 and 2025,respectively to lock first and second doors 2030 and 2035 in a closedposition. The lock members are configured to be extended outward toengage the latch assembly bars 2020 and 2025 with the U-hooks 2010 and2015 as represented by the dashed lines.

Referring next to FIG. 20B, a locking mechanism 2000-2 includes twolocking members with question-mark end portions 2040 and 2045 configuredto engage the first and second latch assembly bars 2020 and 2025,respectively to lock the first and second doors 2030 and 2035 in aclosed position. The lock members are configured to be pushed inwards toengage the latch assembly bars 2020 and 2025 with the question-markportions 2040 and 2045 as represented by the dashed lines.

Referring next to FIG. 20C, a locking mechanism 2000-3 is fixedlyattached to the second door 2035 and includes one locking member with arotatable J-hook end portion 2050 configured to engage the first latchassembly bar 2020 to lock first and second doors 2030 and 2035 in aclosed position. The single lock member is configured to be pushedinward while the rotatable J-hook 2050 is rotated down to engage thelatch assembly bar 2020 as represented by the dashed lines.

The embodiments of the lock mechanisms discussed above are described inreference to shipping containers. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize other implementations where other types of devices can belocked and/or monitored with similar locking mechanisms, latchingmechanisms and using similar methods as discussed above. For example,doors to homes, garages, bank vaults, and other devices can be lockedand monitored with other embodiments in accordance with the disclosure.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described above inconnection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearlyunderstood that this description is made only by way of example and notas limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

1. A lock mechanism to lock at least one door of a container in a closedposition, the lock mechanism comprising: a housing enclosing at least aportion of the lock mechanism; and a lock circuit at least partiallyenclosed within the housing, the lock circuit comprising: a main powersupply, a backup power supply, a plurality of subsystems; and a lockcontroller coupled to the main power supply and the backup power supplyand configured to: receive commands related to operation of the lockmechanism, determine a battery level remaining in the main power supply,determine if the remaining battery level is below a threshold level, andcause the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upon determining thatthe remaining battery level is below the threshold level; wherein: whenin the lower power mode, at least a portion of the subsystems of thelock circuit are not powered, the lock controller receives power fromthe main power supply, and the lock controller monitors an interface todetect a command to unlock the lock mechanism.
 2. The lock mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein, upon detecting the command to unlock the lockmechanism, the lock controller receives power from the backup powersupply and causes the lock mechanism to unlock.
 3. The lock mechanism ofclaim 1, further comprising a processor coupled to the main power supplyand the backup power supply and configured to charge the backup powersupply with power received from the main power supply.
 4. The lockmechanism of claim 1, wherein the backup power supply comprises aninductive power supply configured to be powered inductively by awireless power signal.
 5. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein a firstone of the subsystems is normally powered up periodically and the lockcontroller is configured to increase the time period between periodicpower-ups of the first one of the subsystems when in the lower powermode.
 6. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein the backup power supplycomprises a battery.
 7. The lock mechanism of claim 6, furthercomprising battery terminals accessible from outside the housing, thebattery terminals being coupled to the lock controller, and the batteryis user applied to the battery terminals.
 8. A method of operating alock mechanism configured to lock at least one door of a container in aclosed position, the method comprising: receiving power at a lockcircuit from a main power supply, the lock circuit comprising a backuppower supply, a plurality of subsystems, and a lock controller coupledto the main power supply and the backup power supply; receiving commandsat the lock controller, the commands being related to operation of thelock mechanism; determining a battery level remaining in the main powersupply; determining if the remaining battery level is below a thresholdlevel; and causing the lock circuit to enter a lower power mode upondetermining that the remaining battery level is below the thresholdlevel; wherein, upon entering the lower power mode: at least a portionof the subsystems of the lock circuit are not powered, receiving powerat the lock controller from the main power supply, and monitoring aninterface with the lock controller to detect a command to unlock thelock mechanism.
 9. The method of operating the lock mechanism configuredto lock at least one door of a container in a closed position of claim8, wherein, upon detecting the command to unlock the lock mechanism, themethod further comprises: the lock controller receiving power from thebackup power supply; and causing the lock mechanism to unlock.
 10. Themethod of operating the lock mechanism configured to lock at least onedoor of a container in a closed position of claim 8, the method furthercomprising charging the backup power supply with power received from themain power supply.
 11. The method of operating the lock mechanismconfigured to lock at least one door of a container in a closed positionof claim 8, wherein the backup power supply comprises a wireless powersubsystem, the method further comprising: receiving a wireless powersignal with the wireless power subsystem; and inductively powering atleast a portion of the subsystems of the lock circuit with the wirelesspower subsystem upon detecting the command to unlock the lock mechanism.12. The method of operating the lock mechanism configured to lock atleast one door of a container in a closed position of claim 8, wherein afirst one of the subsystems is normally powered up periodically, themethod further comprising the lock controller increasing the time periodbetween periodic power-ups of the first one of the subsystems when inthe lower power mode.
 13. The method of operating the lock mechanismconfigured to lock at least one door of a container in a closed positionof claim 8, wherein the backup power supply comprises a battery.
 14. Themethod of operating the lock mechanism configured to lock at least onedoor of a container in a closed position of claim 13, further comprisingapplying the battery to battery terminals accessible from outside ahousing enclosing at least a portion of the lock circuit, the batteryterminals being coupled to the lock controller, and the battery is userapplied to the battery terminals.